Japan and NATO Pledge Closer Security Cooperation to Counter Threats from China, Russia, and North Korea

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have pledged to deepen strategic ties between Japan and the Western military alliance, citing mounting security threats from China, Russia, and North Korea.

During a press conference in Tokyo—the first official visit to Japan by Rutte since taking the NATO helm in October—both leaders underscored the growing urgency for enhanced cooperation as regional and global tensions intensify.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Japan sees NATO as a critical partner, especially as China’s military assertiveness and Russia’s prolonged invasion of Ukraine raise alarms in the Indo-Pacific region.

Expanding Security and Defense Collaboration

In a joint statement issued after the high-level talks, both parties outlined their shared commitment to expanding defense industrial cooperation, focusing on dual-use and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, drones, and cybersecurity.

The leaders also announced plans for joint military exercises, intensified space cooperation, and efforts to standardize defense systems for better interoperability. Cyber defense was identified as a priority area, alongside safeguarding space-based infrastructure.

“We are seeing destabilizing actions in multiple theaters, and cooperation is no longer optional—it is essential,” said NATO’s Rutte, warning of China’s strategic efforts to dominate critical technologies, supply chains, and infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific.