Browsing: Japan

NATO, Japan strengthening ties amid Russia-Ukraine crisis - Asiana Times

Officials from Japan and NATO agreed Tuesday to increase military cooperation including joint drills, citing fears the Russia’s invasion in Ukraine is deteriorating the security situation in Europe and Asia. Duringย meetingย ofย NATOย Militaryย Committeeย Chiefย Robย Bauer,ย Japaneseย Defenseย Ministerย Nobuoย Kishiย statedย thatย Japanย intendsย toย improveย itsย tiesย withย Europeanย countriesย andย supportsย NATO’sย growingย roleย inย theย Indo-Pacificย area. The security of Asia and Europe “The security of Asia and Europe are inextricably linked,” Mr. Kishi said, “especially now when the world community is confronting major challenges.” Mr. Bauer’s visit to Tokyo coincides with the participation of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force in NATO naval exercises there in Mediterranean Sea. In contrast to it’s own relations with the United States & partnerships with the other nations in the Indo-Pacific area, Japan has been boosting its military capabilities & cooperation with Europe. Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan, has also been invited here to NATO summit later this month and therefore is reportedly considering attending, making him the very first Japanese leader to do so.Koji Yamazaki, Japan’s military chief of staff, attended a NATO meeting in Belgium for first time in May. Mr. Bauer applauded their greater commitment to addressing “common security concerns.” Spending 2% of their…