July 9, 2023

Japan as a NATO "partner country" will attend the 2-day NATO summit (Jul. 11, Jul. 12) in Vilnius, Lithuania.

NATO's "strategic concept", which was adopted at its summit in Madrid in June last year, for the first time mentions China and describes the country as a "systematic challenge" for NATO. Following the Madrid Summit, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia will again attend the coming summit as NATO partner countries and will compile a new cooperation arrangement.

During the summit last year, Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "The Indo-Pacific region cannot be separated from Europe," and welcomed NATO's commitment to strengthening its military presence in the region. Reportedly, PM Kishida will confirm the strengthening of Japan's partnership with NATO in the region with the aim of holding China in check.

In order to counter China, NATO members are promoting the deployment of troops to the Asia-Pacific region. On June 21, a state-of-the-art patrol vessel of the Italian Navy visited Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force Yokosuka naval base (Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Pref.) for the first time. JMSDF Chief of Staff, Admiral Sakai Ryo, on July 4 hinted at the possibility "of exchanging information on the operation of F-35 fighter jets" with the Italian Navy. Sakai said this with his eyes set on "Izumo"-class escort ships which are going to be converted into aircraft carriers. He even implied the possibility of carrier landing practice by Italian F-35 fighters on the deck of an Izumo-class vessel.

It is reported that NATO is discussing with the Japanese government the possibility of opening of a liaison office in Tokyo and is thinking of sending one full-time staff there. It will be the first NATO office in Asia. The person in charge will engage in information gathering in the Indo-Pacific region and also engage in communication and coordination with NATO partner countries, including Japan.

PM Kishida is hoping to host a NATO office in Tokyo and to make Japan "an associate member of NATO". However, French President Macron informed NATO's General Secretary Stoltenberg of his formal opposition to having a NATO office in Tokyo.