NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during his official visit to Japan, underscored the alliance’s commitment to strengthening ties with Asia-Pacific countries in response to shared security challenges. Rutte made his comments after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo.
Rutte highlighted the growing threats posed by both Russia and China in the region. He noted that China is pursuing large-scale military buildup and attempts to control critical technologies, infrastructure, and supply chains. “China continues to conduct destabilizing activities in the Asia-Pacific,” Rutte stated. He also mentioned Russia’s support for North Korea’s illegal weapons programs, with North Korean troops and weapons being used against Ukraine.
In his address, Rutte stressed the importance of Japan’s sanctions on Russia and its continued support for Ukraine. He also praised Japan’s defense spending plans, particularly its goal to allocate 2% of its GDP to defense by 2027. “This continued investment will further strengthen Japan’s already capable armed forces,” Rutte said.
Rutte emphasized the importance of maintaining regular dialogue with Japan, particularly in areas such as cyber defense, maritime security, and defense industry cooperation. “By working together, we will be more secure,” he stated, reaffirming NATO’s commitment to Japan as one of its key partners.
The visit comes as NATO continues to strengthen its ties with Asia-Pacific nations, including Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, as part of its broader strategy to address regional security challenges. This strategy has been particularly important since the 2022 Madrid Summit, where NATO first identified China as a “threat” to the alliance.