An unusually large delegation of 30 envoys from NATO member states is in Japan for a three-day visit.
NATO’s 32 member countries each station envoys at its Brussels headquarters, and 30 have dispatched ambassadors or other representatives to Japan for this visit.
They arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Wednesday on a dedicated aircraft.
The envoys are scheduled to meet Japanese Cabinet ministers and others during their stay through Friday.
They are also expected to visit Japanese companies to explore cooperation in the defense industry, and tour the US base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo.
The delegation apparently aims to strengthen the partnership between NATO and Japan, with an eye on China’s military buildup.
NATO is interested in Japan’s security policy based on the Japan-US alliance. It appears to be seeking insight into how Japan is engaging with the US administration of President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed frustration with NATO.
AloJapan.com