Tokyo said Monday it will provide ¥2.5 billion in grant aid to Indonesia for the development of fishery facilities on remote islands, at a time when China's influence in the region is increasing.
The signing of a document regarding the aid was witnessed in Jakarta by Foreign Minister Taro Kono and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi, who discussed issues ranging from economic cooperation and maritime security to anti-terrorism measures.
The assistance, which is part of Tokyo's efforts to promote its "free and open Indo-Pacific strategy," will be used to build ports and fishery facilities by January 2020 on Indonesia's six outer islands, according to a Japanese official.