Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that 'the security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable.'

According to Anadolu Agency, Takaichi made the remarks during her first phone call with Rutte as the prime minister of Japan after being elected this October, amid deepening ties between Japan and NATO. The conversation highlighted the strategic importance of cooperation between Japan-NATO and NATO-IP4, which includes Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.

For his part, Rutte expressed support for these views, and both leaders agreed on working together to elevate their cooperative relationship through concrete measures. They also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and the situation in the Indo-Pacific, confirming that both sides will continue to cooperate in addressing security challenges across these regions.

In 2023, Japan and NATO reached an agreement to strengthen bilateral cooperation in 16 areas, including maritime security, outer space, cyberspace, and disinformation. Earlier this year, Japan established its Mission to NATO in Brussels, separating it from the Japanese Embassy in Belgium.