RI-Japan relations to be closer under Fukuda

"Fukuda is chairman of the Indonesia-Japan Association and has close relationship with Indonesia. In view of that the Indonesia-Japan Economic Cooperation (EPA) will certainly be carried out as has been agreed," the observer of international political affairs from the state University of Indonesia, Beginda Pakpahan, said.

He said under the leadership of Fukuda it seemed the Japanese foreign policy would shift to focus more on developing friendship with China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).