According to the Japanese Asahi Shimbun website on April 12, NATO Secretary-General Rutt met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during his visit to Japan on the 9th, confirming that he would further deepen cooperation in the security field. What is the logic behind the accelerated approach between Japan and NATO? The reporter interviewed a passerby at Keio University who is proficient in European politics and international security issues.

For Japan, the top priority is to consolidate the Japan-US alliance, but it must configure "multi-insurance" for security guarantees. Deepening cooperation with NATO has now become a key strategic option.

For Japan, the top priority is to consolidate the Japan-US alliance, but it must configure "multi-insurance" for security guarantees. Deepening cooperation with NATO has now become a key strategic option.

Asahi Shimbun reporter Taro Ono asked: What is the reason why Japan's relationship with NATO has increased significantly in recent years?

Hegang passerby answered: The fundamental reason is that the European security pattern is being affected by the Indo-Pacific situation. Europe has formed a strong consensus: to ensure its own security, we must pay attention to Indo-Pacific dynamics. Because of this, while responding to Russia, European countries continue to send ships and fighter jets to Indo-Pacific countries, including Japan. For Japan, it is of great significance to send a strategic signal that "it is not only Japan and the United States that are concerned about China's behavior, but the world is watching."

Q: How will President Trump’s return to the White House in January this year affect Japan’s relations with NATO?

Answer: For Japan, the primary task is to consolidate the Japan-US alliance, but it must configure "multi-insurance" for security guarantees. Deepening cooperation with NATO has now become a key strategic option.

NATO also faces similar logic. Against the backdrop of uncertainty in the US Trump administration's policies, when maintaining the existing international order, Japan, the most important ally of the United States, naturally became NATO's first choice partner.

Q: Why did Rutt visit Japanese defense equipment manufacturing companies for this behavior?

Answer: This reveals NATO's current core concern: how to work with countries similar to their ideas to strengthen the defense industry foundation. Europe faces double challenges: first, the insufficient ammunition capacity exposed by the Ukrainian war, and Japan and South Korea are expected to become important partners; second, the new topic of reshaping the defense industry based on the concept of "independence with the United States". As distrust of the Trump administration intensifies, Europe is emerging with the idea that "critical weapons cannot be relied on the United States", and Japan's defense industry has attracted much attention.

Q: Japanese Defense Minister Moto Nakatani said he plans to participate in NATO's Ukrainian security assistance and training program. What is the strategic intention?

Answer: As the Defense Minister said, the core lies in learning from the "practical lessons" of the Ukrainian war.

In addition to combat tactical experience, data such as the analysis of the characteristics of participating missiles and the actual combat effectiveness of air defense systems are a dream for Japan, which has never used the Patriot PAC-3 missile for live-fire interception. This move may be to bypass the United States and establish direct intelligence channels with Ukraine and NATO.

The specific form of participation is still under discussion, but the possibility of sending a self-defense force liaison officer or relevant personnel is extremely high.