RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, senior Japanese diplomat Masato Watanabe has urged greater cooperation among middle-power nations to counterbalance the influence of superpowers and safeguard stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Speaking at the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) Joint Seminar in Jakarta on Friday, March 6, 2026, Watanabe emphasized the strategic role of countries with both the capacity and political will to act collectively.

“In maintaining stability in this region, it is meaningful for a group of middle powers to work together to prevent frameworks dominated solely by superpowers,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Watanabe, a Senior Fellow at GRIPS Alliance, acknowledged the Indo-Pacific’s increasingly challenging environment but argued that the current turbulence also presents an opportunity. He pointed to Japan and Indonesia -- both are maritime nations -- as natural partners in advancing peace, stability, and economic prosperity.

“Indonesia occupies a highly strategic maritime position and is a key country in Southeast Asia. In recent years, Japan and Indonesia have strengthened their cooperation as maritime nations for the sake of regional peace, stability, and prosperity,” he noted.

Citing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s remark at the World Economic Forum in Davos -- if you are not at the table, you are on the menu -- Watanabe stressed that middle powers must unite to form a pillar of influence. He highlighted the importance of Japan and Indonesia’s membership in the G20 as part of this effort.

He further underscored Indonesia’s growing leadership within the Global South, noting its rising presence on the international stage. “As home to the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia maintains strong ties not only with the Middle East and the Gulf but also with Muslim-majority countries worldwide,” Watanabe concluded.

His remarks reflect a broader push for middle-power diplomacy, positioning Japan and Indonesia as key actors in shaping a more balanced international order at a time of shifting global dynamics. ***