15/01/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 15 January, Japan inaugurated its independent mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Izawa Osamu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to NATO, will lead the mission independently of the Japanese Embassy in Belgium. “The establishment of an independent mission of Japan will not only facilitate smoother cooperation with NATO, but will also contribute significantly to the strengthening and development of Japan-NATO relations in the future”, the Japanese mission said in a statement. It also recalled that Japan and the Alliance were partners who shared fundamental values and strategic interests. (CG)