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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed on Wednesday to deepen his country’s cooperation with NATO in the defence industry in light of global security threats from China and Russia.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the press after a meeting in Tokyo, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the need for the defence alliance to work with Japan at what he called a “crucial” time for security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.<\/p>\n
Japan and NATO are to work together on the development of cutting-edge technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, Rutte and Ishiba said.<\/p>\n
Japan and NATO have intensified their partnership since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with many in Asia fearing that what is happening in Ukraine today could happen in the South China Sea if China invades Taiwan.<\/p>\n
Ishiba said Tokyo welcomes the defence alliance’s increasing engagement in the region, adding that a stronger NATO would greatly benefit Japan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n