Japan won't join Nato, but local office considered, PM Kishida says
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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday said the country had no plans to become a Nato member.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday said the country had no plans to become a Nato member but acknowledged the security alliance’s plan to open a liaison office in Japan.
Mr Kishida’s comments came after the Japanese ambassador to the United States earlier in May said that the US-led military pact was planning a Tokyo office, the first in Asia,
“I am not aware of any decision made” at Nato regarding the establishment of the office, Mr Kishida told a Wednesday Parliament session.
He added that Japan was not planning to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as a member or semi-member state.
On its part, China’s foreign ministry said the Asia-Pacific region does not welcome Nato’s plan to open the office.
“We want to say that the Asia-Pacific does not welcome group confrontation, does not welcome military confrontation,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
She also said Japan should be “extra cautious on the issue of military security” given its “history of aggression”. REUTERS
