Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi indicated today, Wednesday, that "Japan is in talks to open a NATO liaison office, the first of its kind in Asia," noting that "Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made the world less stable." In an interview with CNN, Hayashi stated: "We are already in discussions, but the details have not been finalized yet."
Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Koji Tomita has hinted that NATO will open a liaison office in Tokyo, telling reporters that Japan was "working in that direction."
Hayashi emphasized that "the reason we are discussing this matter is that since the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the world has become more turbulent. Something is happening in Eastern Europe, and it directly affects the situation here in the Pacific, which is why cooperation between us in East Asia and NATO has become increasingly important."
He added: "Japan is not a member of the NATO treaty, but this move sends a message that partners in the Asia-Pacific region are engaging with NATO in a very consistent manner," considering "China as the greatest challenge for us."
