Japan expressed interest Tuesday in participating in the NATO command for its Ukrainian mission based in Germany in what would be a major boost in ties with the largely European alliance.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced his country’s interest during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Tokyo. After providing the war-torn country with defense equipment and support, Japan now wants to join NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, or NSATU, headquartered at a U.S. base in the German town of Wiesbaden.
Details of the mission, including the possibility of sending any Japan Self Defense Force members to Wiesbaden, were still to be discussed. But any Japanese cooperation was not expected to involve combat, in line with what has been Tokyo’s post-World War II tradition of limiting its military’s role.
Nakatani said Japan wants to further deepen security cooperation with NATO and that participation in the NSATU mission would help Tokyo learn lessons from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Japan has said that Russia’s war on Ukraine underscores that security risks in Europe and Asia are inseparable, and Tokyo has sought closer ties with NATO while also joining the United States in expanding defense ties with other friendly nations in the Indo-Pacific.
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Japan considers China a threat in the region and has in recent years accelerated its military buildup, including preparing to acquire strike-back capability with long-range cruise missiles.
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NATO has stepped up its ties with Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, known as the IP4, in recent years, with their officials attending NATO ministerial and summit meetings.
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Oh man, I’m surprised Japan took so long to get on the fuck the Russians train. Historically, they’re all about that shit
If we’re going for historical reenactment, they would be waiting for their chance to do a surprise invasion and nab a couple of provinces…
Alright, who had “axis but democratic” in their 2025 bingo card?
Here’s hoping that Taiwan joins in. The more XP that none-Chinese nations in the Indo-Pacific get, the better they can resist unprovoked aggression.
America certainly isn’t fit to protect anyone decent.
Taiwan making any cooperative military action not coordinated by the US would likely kick off some serious shit. China’s not about to let that happen.
Short of China attacking Russia to reclaim territory, I think war will inevitably come to Taiwan’s shores. The US, as it is, won’t protect anybody.
Taiwan getting raped is definitely on my BINGO card. Humpty Trumpty won’t do anything to help.
I’m trying to understand what this comment means.
I checked your history and you are at least posing as American but your command of English is questionable.
Help me understand what you meant here.
Well approximately 1 in 7 Americans are functionally illiterate so that tracks.
I decided to search it because I was concerned and found the stat today is even worse, 1 in 5.
My mother was an English teacher so I was one of the lucky ones. The future is looking more bleak every time I come up for air.
