Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering attending a meeting of NATO heads of state in late June to boost co-ordination with the West over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sources familiar with the matter said.
Such a visit would signal an unusually aggressive stance on a Japanese leader, although Kishida has repeatedly condemned Russia for what he has described as a “war crime” against Ukraine.
In the past, Japanese leaders have taken a cautious stance in their relations with Russia, as the two countries have been at loggerheads for decades.
A government spokesman said officials would not be able to comment on such a visit, which was first reported by the Kyodo news agency on Saturday.
The NATO summit will take place on June 29-30 in Madrid, and the summit will most likely coincide with the election campaign in Japan, in view of the elections to be held on July 10.
Kishida will make a final decision later, given the pre-election political situation, Kyodo reported, citing government sources.
NATO has invited Japan to the summit, along with Australia, New Zealand and South Korea as partners in the Asia-Pacific region.
Kishida plans to arrive in Madrid after attending a G7 summit in Germany, sources told Reuters, who asked not to be named.
Kishida’s presence at the summit will send a strong message of international solidarity for the war in Ukraine, Kyodo sources said.
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
