NATO Secretary General Rutte to visit Japan

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. 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. Ishiba has taken the view that the security of the Indo-Pacific region is inseparable from that of Europe, as Japan is deepening its partnership with NATO.

NATO, for its part, has been strengthening ties with Indo-Pacific countries, which include South Korea and Australia besides Japan..