Japan on Friday offered Indonesia assistance for long-term reconstruction from the earthquake and tsunami disaster, in addition to other aid it has already pledged for emergency relief, a Japanese official said.

In a meeting held in Jakarta, Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda agreed to set up a panel to discuss ways to deepen bilateral relations, the official said.

Machimura told Wirajuda that Japan is willing to provide help apart from the 13 billion yen in grants it has pledged for Indonesia's emergency needs, and asked Indonesia to make specific requests, the official said.

Wirajuda expressed his appreciation and said Japan's offer of a moratorium on debt repayment for the affected countries will also help, the official said.