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TOKYO: Japan: NATO has announced plans to open a liaison office in Tokyo by 2024, serving as a central hub for cooperation with Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, according to the Nikkei newspaper. However, China has expressed its opposition to this cooperation.

In May, the Japanese ambassador to the United States revealed that the U.S.-led military alliance was considering opening an office in Tokyo, marking its first presence in Asia and expanding regional consultations. However, French

President Emmanuel Macron voiced objections to the proposal.

China, in response, stated that the Asia-Pacific region does not welcome what it referred to as “group confrontation.” China urged Japan to exercise “extra caution” regarding military security, due to its World War II-era aggression.

The Nikkei reports that NATO intends to strengthen its ties with its four key partners in the Pacific region. It plans to develop cooperation documents with each country, establishing a framework for collaboration on cybersecurity, space, and other shared issues.

During a visit to Japan in January, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, together with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, pledged to expand their alliance, in the face of “historic” security challenges. They highlighted Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s growing military power as significant concerns.

“Australia will provide further updates on its partnership arrangements in due course,” stated a spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The spokesperson also said that all NATO partners would transition to the new Individually Tailored Partnership Programme once their existing agreements were up for renewal.

In April, NATO stated that Australia, along with four other non-NATO members, already had increased opportunities for deeper cooperation, including training and information sharing, to enhance crisis management capabilities.

Although media reports suggested that Prime Minister Kishida was arranging to attend a NATO summit in Lithuania in July, he clarified last month that Japan had no plans to become a member or semi-member state of NATO.