Japan’s new Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwaya, expressed support for the concept of an “Asian NATO” proposed by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. While emphasizing the need for careful consideration over the medium to long term, Iwaya acknowledged the potential benefits of such a security framework in the Indo-Pacific region.
Iwaya emphasized that the idea is not directed at any specific country and highlighted the importance of inclusive security cooperation that welcomes all nations, including potential rivals like China. He reiterated the importance of stability in East Asia for global security and suggested that an Asian NATO could be a step towards achieving this goal.
With growing military assertiveness from China and North Korea’s nuclear expansion, Iwaya stressed the importance of strengthening deterrence while also advocating for dialogue, particularly with China, to prevent escalating tensions. He emphasized the need for persistent and cautious engagement with Beijing to build trust and maintain regional stability.
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