TOKYO (Kyodo) — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Japan next week for the first time in his current capacity, and hold talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the Japanese government said Thursday.

It said the meeting, which will take place during Rutte’s three-day stay through April 10, will be an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on Russia’s war against Ukraine and cooperation toward the goal of a rules-based, “free and open” Indo-Pacific.

AloJapan.com