Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuzhi reiterated in Jakarta on November 27 that his government will help Indonesia in its economic recovery.

The Japanese prime minister made the commitment to Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid during their talks at the presidential palace Saturday morning.

Obuzhi told newsmen after the meeting that Japan will increase its help to Indonesia by building small and medium-sized businesses as well receiving more Indonesian students for studying in Japan.

He said a Japanese team will arrive in Jakarta soon to discuss the cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides will also discuss the issue of Japan's aid to Indonesia's private enterprises, especially the investment agreement signed by the two countries.

When asked for comments on the tense situation in Indonesia's west-most province of Aceh, Obuzhi said the Aceh problem is internal affairs of Indonesia.

Japan hoped the Aceh problem will be settled peacefully. The stability in Indonesia is of great importance to the stability in Asia, he added.

Wahid appreciated Japan's assistance and will appoint Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two countries, said Coordinating Minister for political and Security Affairs Wiranto who accompanying the president in the meeting.

Obuzhi, who arrived here Friday afternoon, is the first foreign leader to visit Jakarta after Wahid was elected the country's fourth president in October this year.

On Friday afternoon and evening, Obuzhi met with Indonesian Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and some other senior officials.

Japan is Indonesia's largest lender country, and its most important trading partner. Japan's official development assistance to Indonesia surged from 496 million US dollars in 1996 to 828 million dollars in 1998.

Obuzhi and his delegation will leave here Saturday for Manila to attend the dialog meeting with ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) there.