Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The US vetoed a UNSC resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, arguing it does not condemn Hamas nor grant "Israel" the right to “self-defense.”
Israeli occupation forces issue a new bombing threat against civilian buildings in the Southern Lebanese towns of Borj Qalaouiye and Chehabiyeh.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Extending the snapback mechanism deadline will test how independent Europeans truly are from the US.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Activating the snapback mechanism will nullify the Cairo Agreement, shut the door on cooperation between the IAEA and Tehran, and bar inspections.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: The diplomatic window remains open, but signs of activating the snapback sanctions mechanism on Iran are increasing.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: Although the Cairo Agreement meets an important part of European demands, they have begun speaking of new conditions in recent communications.
Sources to Al Mayadeen: European countries show no independence in their stance toward Iran during the talks.
Israeli occupation forces issued bombing threats to bomb civilian buildings in Southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Person behind shooting operation at Allenby Crossing is a Jordanian Army soldier.
Israeli media citing Emergency Services: Both wounded in Allenby shooting operation now dead.

Japan, NATO to deepen ties amid 'rising fears' from Russia, China

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 31 Jan 2023 21:40
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

As part of his Asia trip, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirms the need to "remain united and firm," alongside Japan.

  • x
  • NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands after holding a joint media briefing on January 31, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan (Reuters).
    NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands after holding a joint media briefing on January 31, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan. (Reuters)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, on Tuesday, during his visit to Tokyo as part of an Asia trip, that Japan and NATO must "remain united and firm" in the face of security Chinese, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and Russian "threats", especially given the situation of the war in Ukraine.

In a joint press conference with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Stoltenberg warned that China monitored closely the war in Ukraine and was allegedly "learning lessons that may influence its future decisions."

"What is happening in Europe today could happen in East Asia tomorrow. So we must remain united and firm, standing together for freedom and democracy," the NATO chief claimed.

Increased China-Russia cooperation

The two leaders emphasized their growing concerns regarding the increased cooperation between China and Russia.

"We highlight with concern Russia's growing military cooperation with China, including through joint operations and drills in the vicinity of Japan," they said during the joint statement.

In that regard, Stoltenberg also praised the "strong position" and "substantial support" that Japan has offered to Ukraine so far.

According to the NATO chief, China is "not our adversary" but advised caution as he referenced its growing military presence across Asia, "including nuclear weapons, bullying neighbors and threatening Taiwan." Furthermore, Stoltenberg claimed that China has spread disinformation regarding the alliance and the situation in Ukraine.

The DPRK was also considered a point of increased concern as the two leaders regarded its most recent nuclear activity and ballistic missile tests as "provocative behavior".

Related News

Japan yields to US pressure, says won't recognize Palestinian state

DPRK slams US-Japan-South Korea war games as ‘reckless’

Deepening ties

On his part, Kishida emphasized Japan's intention to establish an independent representative office that would handle NATO matters as the country aims to deepen ties with the alliance.

Furthermore, the PM noted that the country considered becoming a regular participant in high-level meetings held by NATO.

Japan's defense plan to 'strengthen and modernize' US alliance

Following news on December 16 that Japan will overhaul its defense policy, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the new policy will "strengthen and modernize" the country's military alliance with the United States.

"Japan's goal to significantly increase defense investments will... strengthen and modernize the US-Japan Alliance," Sullivan said.

Tokyo pledged to increase security expenditure to two percent of GDP by 2027, reorganize its military command, and buy new missiles, which can target distant enemy launch sites in its biggest defense shake-up in decades.

The move includes the purchase of as many as 500 US-made Tomahawk missiles.

The undisclosed portion of the budget also includes "standoff" missiles with a development budget of more than 30 billion yen - the most expensive item in this year's budget, as per media reports.

"Fundamentally strengthening our defense capabilities is the most urgent challenge in this severe security environment," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said last week.

On this issue, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the move showed "Japan's staunch commitment to upholding the international rules-based order and a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Tokyo is eyeing a major arms buildup since World War Two, intensifying tensions with China while increasing its coordination with the West in the Asia Pacific region.

Read more: Tokyo to pursue peace treaty with Moscow despite strained ties: PM

  • Japan
  • Nato
  • DPRK
  • Russia
  • Fumio Kishida
  • China
  • Nato Alliance
  • Jens Stoltenberg

Most Read

Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025
UKLFI’s latest faux pas, like "Israel’s" recent failed attempt at regime change in Iran, is unambiguously indicative of a flailing entity on the verge of extinction. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

Zionist lawfare operation facing collapse?

  • Opinion
  • 13 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS