TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday (May 24) said the country had no plans to become a Nato member but acknowledged the security alliance's plan to open a liaison office in Japan.
Kishida's comments came after the Japanese ambassador to the United States earlier this month said that the US-led military pact was planning a Tokyo office, the first in Asia, to facilitate consultations in the region.
"I am not aware of any decision made" at Nato regarding the establishment of the office, Kishida told a Wednesday parliament session, adding his country was not planning to join Nato as a member or semi-member state.