Japan inaugurates new, independent mission and ambassador to NATO

Japan inaugurates new, independent mission and ambassador to NATO Japan's government has inaugurated a new mission and ambassador to NATO, making the country's representation to the alliance independent from the Japanese embassy in Belgium.
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January 16, 2025 16:42
Japan inaugurates new, independent mission and ambassador to NATO

Japan's government has inaugurated a new mission and ambassador to NATO, making the country's representation to the alliance independent from the Japanese embassy in Belgium, Report informs via NHK.

The government opened a representative office for NATO overseen by the embassy in 2018 in Belgium, home to NATO headquarters.

The launch of the new mission came as Japan seeks stronger ties with the alliance following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and in light of other security concerns.

On Wednesday, Izawa Osamu officially assumed the position of the mission's ambassador after submitting a letter of credence to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

NATO has four Indo-Pacific partners -- Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The alliance invited them to three summit meetings held in the past.

Japan became the first country among them to inaugurate a full-time ambassador to NATO.

NATO told NHK that Izawa's inauguration is yet another tangible demonstration of the long-standing and valuable partnership developed by the military alliance and Japan.

It noted that NATO and Japan "share concerns about China's heavy military build-up and destabilising activities in the Indo-Pacific," and added that it looks forward to developing the partnership further.

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