Indonesia-Japan Ink Critical Minerals, Nuclear Energy Pact

10 hours ago 5

March 16, 2026 | 04:53 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) focused on critical minerals and nuclear energy. Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia joined Japanese Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa to formalize the agreement during a bilateral meeting at the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum in Tokyo on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

"We are very open and happily request the Japanese government and Japanese entrepreneurs to jointly manage our critical minerals in Indonesia," Bahlil said, according to the official ESDM website on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Bahlil framed the pact as a cornerstone for global supply chain security. He expressed hope that leveraging Indonesia's strategic mineral resources through this partnership would accelerate the development of clean energy technology.

During the session, Bahlil reminded his counterpart that Indonesia holds roughly 43 percent of the world’s nickel reserves. Beyond being a primary producer of bauxite, tin, and copper, the country also possesses rare earth metal deposits that could be further developed through international collaboration.

Akazawa emphasized the necessity of international cooperation given the current global geopolitical volatility. Such collaboration is vital to safeguarding energy security and ensuring a steady supply, the Japanese minister noted.

Japan, Akazawa noted, has established strategic energy reserves to mitigate potential crises. He also voiced appreciation for Indonesia’s ongoing support regarding Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export permits.

Furthermore, the Japanese government affirmed its ongoing support for various energy projects in Indonesia. Among these is the completion of the Legok Nangka Waste-to-Energy Power Plant (PLTSa), a key element of the two nations' strategic partnership.

Nuclear energy cooperation will focus on technological advancement paired with rigorous safety standards. This agreement provides Indonesia with a path to leverage Japanese expertise and tech in developing low-carbon energy solutions.

The two countries also plan to continue talks on regional energy resilience, covering LNG and coal supply chains. These efforts fall under the Asia Zero Emission Community framework, which seeks to accelerate energy transition projects like the Sarulla Geothermal Power Plant and the Legok Nangka facility.

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