While Japan is not a member of NATO, both Tokyo and the alliance leaders seem eager to work together as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visits the Asian country.NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is using a two-day trip to Japan to underline the importance of close working relationships with like-minded nations around the world at a time of growing

Two major themes emerged: the interconnectedness of threats facing Europe and the Indo-Pacific and the importance of defense industrial cooperation.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed on Wednesday to deepen his country's cooperation with NATO in the defence industry in light of global security threats from China and Russia. Speaking to the press after a meeting in Tokyo,