Japan’s foreign and defense ministers announced on Wednesday that they are not pursuing a proposal from the newly elected prime minister to create an “Asian NATO,” following rejections from both the United States and India.

Shigeru Ishiba had put forth this idea prior to his anticipated victory in the ruling party leadership election on Friday, suggesting it would enhance security across Asia. However, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed doubts on Tuesday, indicating that India does not align with Ishiba’s vision. Additionally, last month, Daniel Kritenbrink, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, stated that it was premature to consider such a proposal.

Japan’s foreign minister, Takeshi Iwaya, remarked during a news conference in Tokyo that while the concept may hold potential for the future, establishing a mechanism for mutual defense obligations in Asia is challenging at this time. He clarified that this proposed framework would not be directed at any specific nation, particularly in response to questions about China.

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, in his first press conference following his appointment by Ishiba, noted that the prime minister did not reference any plans for an Asian equivalent of NATO in his recent directives.

Last month, during a presentation at the Hudson Institute think tank, Japan’s newly appointed leader proposed that establishing an “Asian NATO” involving the U.S. and other allied nations would serve as a deterrent against potential military aggression from China in Asia.

He suggested that this organization could integrate various existing groups and alliances, including the QUAD alliance comprising India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia, as well as the trilateral security partnership among Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul.