Japan establishes a mission to NATO amid escalating tensions with Russia and North Korea

NATO has strengthened its relationships with Japan and three other partners in the Indo-Pacific region: Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, although these connections do not constitute formal membership in the military alliance.

Japan has officially launched an independent mission to NATO as both Tokyo and the alliance aim to enhance collaboration in response to rising tensions from Russia, China, and North Korea.

Previously, the Japanese embassy in Belgium managed NATO-related affairs.

The new mission is headed by Osamu Izawa, who succeeds Masahiro Mikami, the current ambassador to Belgium.

On Thursday, high-level discussions were held in Tokyo between Japan and NATO to address regional security challenges in East Asia and Europe, as reported by the Foreign Ministry.

In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the strengthening of ties between Moscow and Beijing, NATO has intensified its partnerships with Japan and the three other Indo-Pacific nations, while still not forming a military alliance.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan has proposed a security framework in Asia similar to NATO, although specifics have not been disclosed.

Nations sharing security interests are increasingly forging closer ties amid intensifying competition between the United States and China.

Beijing has expressed concerns regarding NATO’s expanding relationships with Indo-Pacific partners, fearing that the U.S. may attempt to establish a NATO-like alliance in the region.