WASHINGTON: A U.S. Department of State official Wednesday expressed support for NATO’s idea of opening an office in Tokyo, characterizing Japan’s cooperation with the transatlantic alliance as mutually beneficial.

The United States “supports strengthened relations with our partners around the world,” the official told Jiji Press. “We support enhanced cooperation with our ally and NATO partner, Japan.”

The official said that NATO and Japan are committed to shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world, including in areas such as cyberdefense and maritime security.

The proposed establishment of what would be NATO’s first outpost in the Indo-Pacific region has reportedly drawn opposition from French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Financial Times said in its online edition last week that Macron is cautious about extending NATO’s geographic reach to the Indo-Pacific region.

JIJI Press