Japanese Premier says that Japan has got to get closer to NATO

2024-07-11 08:05:12

(MENAFN) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has emphasized the critical need for Japan to strengthen its relationship with NATO in response to what he perceives as growing threats posed by Russia's expanding ties with Asian nations. Speaking ahead of his visit to a NATO summit in the United States, Kishida expressed concerns over Moscow's deepening cooperation with countries like China and North Korea, asserting that these developments could destabilize not only Europe but also the broader Indo-Pacific region.

In a statement provided to Reuters, Kishida underscored the interconnected nature of security between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, citing Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine and its enhanced military collaboration with North Korea as significant geopolitical challenges. He warned against complacency in the face of attempts by Russia and its allies to disrupt the established international order, urging global solidarity in countering such threats.

Kishida did not directly name China but alluded to concerns about certain countries potentially contributing to what he described as a heightened Russian threat through the supply of dual-use goods with military applications. This accusation aligns with longstanding Western assertions against Beijing, which has consistently denied these allegations.

The Japanese leader called upon NATO and its partners to unite in confronting "international actors" who, according to him, support Russia's efforts to alter the geopolitical status quo through coercive means. Japan's firm stance in supporting NATO amid the Ukraine conflict underscores its alignment with the alliance's stance that a Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden further aggression against NATO member states.

Kishida's remarks highlight Japan's strategic imperative to deepen cooperation with NATO, signaling Tokyo's proactive approach to safeguarding regional and global stability in the face of evolving geopolitical dynamics and security challenges posed by Russia's expanding influence in Asia.

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