The ministry’s press secretary, Toshihiro Kitamura, acknowledged that Shigeru Ishiba had floated the idea of a Nato-style alliance in Asia before assuming office as prime minister, but the idea is no longer a central focus.
“Since in Asia there is no multilateral security arrangement, he believes some umbrella of security would be needed, but this should be examined,” Kitamura said in an interview with FMT on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
Instead, he said, Japan is working on a layered approach anchored by its alliance with the US and supported by frameworks such as the Quad, trilateral dialogues, and Asean-led platforms.
“For Japan, the US is an ally. In addition to that, we had two trilateral meetings under the auspices of Asean – the US-Japan-Republic of Korea, and the US-Japan-Philippines trilateral meetings. Through this framework, we are trying to explore further cooperation,” he said.
Asked whether a new multilateral security platform is needed, Kitamura said the Asean-led East Asia Summit (EAS) already provides a good forum for discussion.
He said the EAS’s inclusive nature makes it a rare venue for open exchange, especially at a time when regional and global tensions are intensifying.
“Participants include both sides, not only Japan and the US, but also Russia and China,” he said.
Broader security assistance
Kitamura also reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for the five-point consensus (5PC) on Myanmar, and expressed appreciation for Asean’s leadership on issues beyond traditional security.
“Disaster prevention and humanitarian assistance are areas where Japan is looking forward to deepening cooperation with Asean,” he said, citing ongoing discussions within the Asean Plus Three nations – China, Japan and Korea.
He also said security between Asia and Europe is increasingly interconnected, particularly in light of the war in Ukraine and its effects on global supply chains.
“We repeatedly convey the message to our colleagues in European countries that the security of the Atlantic and Europe is inseparable from the security of Asia,” he said.
While Japan’s constitution bars the export of lethal weapons, Tokyo has supported Ukraine with non-lethal aid, including drones and anti-air radar systems, and is working with Cambodia on demining assistance.