[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sunhee] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held talks with Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in Tokyo on the 31st.
According to local media, Prime Minister Kishida and Secretary General Stoltenberg agreed to strengthen security cooperation to maintain and reinforce the international order in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's hegemonic actions. They also agreed to cooperate in related fields under the consensus that security in the Indo-Pacific and Europe cannot be separated.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (岸田文雄) (right) held talks with Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in Tokyo on the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News
After the talks, Prime Minister Kishida held a joint press conference and expressed his intention to consider participating in the NATO decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council meetings. Secretary General Stoltenberg mentioned the need to cooperate with Japan to respond to the situation where China is enhancing its military power and threatening Taiwan.
In their joint statement, the two shared the recognition that unilateral changes to the status quo by force related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's maritime advances cannot be accepted anywhere in the world. They also expressed concern over the expansion of military cooperation between Russia and China. In particular, regarding China's rapid military buildup, they strongly urged increased transparency, arms limitation, and disarmament cooperation. This is the first time that a joint document between Japan and NATO has included content related to China's military expansion. Prime Minister Kishida and Secretary General Stoltenberg also agreed to continue sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine.
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