Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Tuesday that Japan and NATO will issue a new security cooperation document during the trans-Atlantic alliance’s summit taking place in Lithuania.
The summit comes at a time of growing geopolitical concerns. Kishida expressed his eagerness to utilize the summit as an opportunity to reaffirm cooperation with like-minded countries in upholding the rules-based, free, and open international order.
The new document, called the Individually Tailored Partnership Program, aims to enhance cooperation between Japan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in various areas, including maritime security, disinformation response, and outer space.
This initiative is part of Japan’s efforts to bolster security cooperation between the Indo-Pacific region and Europe, with a focus on addressing concerns related to China.
Kishida is set to meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to release the new document, further solidifying the security ties between Japan and NATO. The partnership program reflects their shared commitment to addressing emerging security challenges and promoting stability.
In addition to the NATO summit, Kishida will engage in several bilateral meetings on the sidelines. He is scheduled to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During these meetings, Kishida plans to discuss various topics, including Japan’s plan to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, following approval from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Furthermore, Kishida intends to express Japan’s readiness to expand its support for Ukraine, particularly in terms of rebuilding infrastructure and economy, which have been severely impacted by Russia’s invasion starting in February 2022.
Following the NATO summit, Kishida will travel to Belgium for talks with European Union (EU) leaders. He is expected to meet European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation between Japan and the EU in areas such as maritime security, cyberspace, and supply chains. The leaders are also planning to issue a joint statement outlining their intentions to deepen collaboration.
Throughout his four-day European tour, Prime Minister Kishida will hold bilateral talks with leaders from various nations and regions. The Japanese Foreign Ministry anticipates productive discussions aimed at strengthening partnerships and promoting regional stability.
