Japanese Foreign Ministry proposes to create analogue of NATO

An "Asian version of NATO" may appear in the world - this idea was expressed by the new Japanese Foreign Minister.

According to Takeshi Iwaya, this option needs to be carefully studied in the medium and long term.

Takeshi Iwaya - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan:

"The situation around Japan is now the harshest since the war. I think that the most important thing now is to build a multi-level network of relations with like-minded countries and allies. We would like to increase our deterrence capability in this way."

In light of the Ukrainian conflict, the diplomat noted that his government is determined to continue supporting Kiev. But he noted that the idea of an "Asian NATO" is "not aimed at a specific country."

He also acknowledged that right now in Asia it will be difficult to create a mechanism that implies a commitment to mutual defense.