Calay News
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi announced Wednesday that Tokyo is in talks to establish a NATO liaison office, which would make it the first such office in Asia, according to CNN reports. Hayashi said that although Japan is not a member of the Atlantic Alliance, this initiative would send a message of commitment from the allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed these statements in an interview with CNN the same day, stressing the importance of Japan as a close and relevant partner for the alliance. This announcement comes a week after NATO’s plan to open a communications office in Japan next year was revealed, with the aim of strengthening cooperation with its allies through regular consultations with key partners in the region, such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.
The idea of establishing this office was first discussed during Stoltenberg’s visit to Tokyo in January, where he met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
China’s reaction was swift, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning warning against NATO expansion and expressing concern that this could affect regional peace and stability. Mao stated that Asia is a region of peace, stability, and cooperation, not a battleground for geopolitical competition. He argued that NATO’s continued incursion into the Asia-Pacific region and its interference in regional affairs would undermine peace and stability and encourage confrontation between blocs. China urged countries in the region to maintain high vigilance against this situation.
The initiative to establish a NATO liaison office in Japan represents a significant development in security relations and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. As Japan seeks to strengthen its ties with NATO, China’s response highlights the growing geopolitical rivalry in the region and the security concerns this generates. The establishment of this office will be closely watched by regional actors and the international community at large.
