Japan strengthens ties with NATO, opens independent mission as threats loom

On January 16, Japan officially inaugurated its independent mission to NATO, marking a significant step in strengthening cooperation between Tokyo and the military alliance, as tensions with Russia, China, and North Korea continue to rise.

Previously, Japan’s embassy in Belgium had represented the country in NATO matters, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The newly established mission will be led by Osamu Izawa, who succeeds the ambassador to Belgium, Masahiro Mikami, in the role.

Simultaneously, Japan and NATO held high-level consultations in Tokyo to discuss security concerns in both East Asia and Europe, as confirmed by Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the increasingly close ties between Moscow and Beijing, NATO has worked to strengthen its relationships with Japan and three other Indo-Pacific nations: Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.

However, these countries are not yet part of the alliance itself.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has long advocated for the creation of a NATO-like security framework in Asia, although he has yet to provide specific details.

As tensions rise in the region, countries with shared security interests are reinforcing their alliances. China has voiced concerns about NATO’s growing ties with Indo-Pacific nations, fearing that the United States may be attempting to establish a similar security structure in the region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev