Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Political, Law, and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD held a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masafumi Ishii to discuss cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

"We discuss several issues, including tourism, investment, maritime cooperation, and counterterrorism cooperation," Mahfud stated at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Law, and Security Affairs, Jakarta, Friday.

The minister noted that it was common to pay a courtesy call on a new official.

The presence of the Japanese ambassador to Indonesia also spoke volumes of the cooperation jointly implemented by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and the Japanese government.

Moreover, Ishii invited Mahfud to come to Japan, though the latter had yet to confirm when he would meet the invitation.

"Yes, he invited, I said, I like Japan, I often go there to give lectures. Then he (Masafumi) invited me to come to Japan again," he revealed.

In the meantime, Ishii affirmed that his visit to the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Law, and Security Affairs was to congratulate Mahfud MD, who had recently become a minister.

"I came here to congratulate Mr Mahfud, who has served as a minister," he noted.

On the occasion, he and Mahfud also held discussions on the cooperation carried out between Indonesia and Japan, including in the field of anti-terror defense.

"We have also decided to strengthen cooperation in other areas, including anti-terrorism," Masafumi remarked.

The Japanese government is also keen to fortify cooperation with the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and others.
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Translator: Syaiful H, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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