NATO reinforces military partnership with Japan during the military staff talks held in Tokyo
From 9 to 10 May 2025, NATO’s delegation of military experts, led by Brigadier-General Ungüder Eray, Deputy Director of the Cooperative Security Division, NATO International Military Staff, travelled to Tokyo for military staff talks with their Japanese counterparts, headed by General Shirai Ryoji. The talks provided an opportunity to reinforce and deepen the already ongoing military cooperation between the Alliance and Japan, as well as to highlight the analogies between the challenges faced by the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions.
Brigadier-General Ungüder praised the long-standing partnership between the Alliance and Japan, since initial contacts in the early 1990s: “NATO and Japan have significantly deepened their military cooperation in a rapid and constructive way over the recent years. In today’s very complex security environment, we must maintain the momentum, and do even more to tackle cross-regional challenges and shared security interests.”
The two delegations covered practical military cooperation, such as coordinated exercises, training and courses. The interoperability of Japanese forces was a focal point of the talks too.
Brigadier-General Ungüder Eray together with General Shirai Ryoji
The NATO delegation also met with the NATO Contact Point Embassies of Norway and Romania in Japan. The Norwegian Ambassador Ms. Kristin Iglum, together with the Romanian Minister-Counsellor, Ms. Geta Medeleanu, provided the Allied Defence Attachés the opportunity to reflect on the strong cooperation of Allies with Japan and to receive the insights on the military cooperation with NATO.
The last military staff talks with Japan, before this one, took place on 26 June 2024 at the NATO headquarters. The Japanese delegation met with highest NATO and Allies military leadership during the last Military Committee Meeting in Chiefs of Defence Session, in January 2025, deepening contact between the Alliance and its Indo-Pacific Partners.