The security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific "is inseparable," Tokyo says
Japan wants to deepen defence cooperation with like-minded partners, including Europe, as it responds to what it describes as its most challenging security environment since World War Two, according to the country’s 2026 Defence White Paper.
The paper released earlier this week describes the alliance with the US as “a key pillar” of Japan’s national security policy and states that “continued efforts” should be made “to elevate the Alliance to new heights”.
But it also adds that bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation and exchanges with other like-minded partners should be boosted, including in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America as well as NATO.
“The security environment surrounding Japan is as severe and complex as it has ever been since the end of World War II,” the paper says.
