Kishida told Retno, who assumed her post last month, that Japan will work together with Indonesia as maritime nations to ensure that the sea is free and open for regional peace and prosperity, according to the official.
China is embroiled in overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea with some Southeast Asian countries especially the Philippines and Vietnam.
To respond to the rising tensions in that area, the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, are negotiating a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea.
Although Japan is not directly involved in disputes related to the South China Sea, it is also concerned about developments in the area as it has its own territorial issue with China.
Beijing remains at odds with Tokyo over a separate group of islands in East China Sea controlled by Japan and claimed by China. The uninhabited islands are called the Senkaku Islands in Japan and known as the Diaoyu in China.
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