Madrid, 5 July 2022 (TDI): The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida had a meeting with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg.

The bilateral meeting took place during Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Spain for the NATO Summit.

The Japanese Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the invitation to the NATO Summit. He also appreciated the efforts made by Secretary-General Stoltenberg in strengthening the relations between Japan and NATO.

The Prime Minister mentioned that his attendance at the 2022 NATO summit has historic significance for Japan. He also appreciated the formulation of NATO’s new Strategic Concept.

In a similar manner, Secretary General Stoltenberg also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Kishida for attending the NATO Summit. He said that Japan is an important partner of NATO.

Both sides confirmed that Japan and NATO will upgrade the existing Japan-NATO Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP). That is, to one that “suits a new era and accelerates the work toward an early agreement on a new document for cooperation.”

They affirmed that Japan and NATO will enhance cooperation, including mutual participation as observers in the other’s exercises.

Japan and NATO

Both NATO and Japan have an Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme. Therefore, as reliable partners, Japan and NATO share common values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as strategic interests.

They both cooperate closely in order to “maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.”

Both are determined to safeguard their shared values and strategic interests. As well as
the freedom and the security of their populations.

Furthermore, Japan and NATO attach importance to deterring conflict and preventing crises through multilateral cooperation.

They also acknowledge their shared strategic interests in promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity.

Thus, by pursuing a rules-based international order that promotes the peaceful settlement of disputes through full respect for legal and diplomatic processes.

Also, NATO and Japan are aware of the requirement in addressing global and emerging
security challenges. For example, outer space, cyber defense, maritime security and
counterterrorism. Along with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Most importantly, both sides are committed to strengthening their partnership in areas that relate to their shared strategic interests.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR