Japan and Indonesia kicked off Tuesday their second round of negotiations in Tokyo aimed at establishing a free-trade agreement.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka and former Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Soemadi Brotodiningrat are representing about 150 delegates at the four-day meeting, which covers trade in goods and services, investment and bilateral cooperation among other issues.
At the start, Yabunaka called this round of talks "very, very important" and expressed hope a conclusion will be reached at an early date.
The two countries, which launched official FTA talks in July, agreed to hold negotiations every two months. Officials from both sides have indicated their goal of taking less than two years.
During the first talks July 14 and 15 in Jakarta, Japan asked Indonesia to explain its investment regulations and reduce or eliminate tariffs on vehicles and automobile parts, according to Indonesian officials.
Indonesia requested that Japan help boost its local tuna fisheries management and recognize the country as being free of hoof-and-mouth disease.