4 hours ago
Last Updated:June 23, 2025, 13:29 IST
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will not attend the NATO summit in the Hague. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will represent Japan.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on June 17, 2025. (AFP)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will not attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit in the Hague this week, Reuters cited a source with direct knowledge as saying on Monday.
According to Fuji Television, Ishiba’s trip cancellation stems from the likelihood of two key events not happening: a planned meeting between NATO and the IP4 nations (a group of four Indo-Pacific countries) and a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump.
As per Reuters’ source, South Korea and Australia, which, along with Japan and New Zealand, make up the IP4, have also said their leaders would not attend the NATO summit meeting. Trump had wanted to hold a summit meeting with the IP4.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will represent Japan, the first source said.
Since 2022, Japan’s leader has consistently attended NATO summits. The country was first invited to participate in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The foreign ministry had announced Ishiba’s attendance just three days ago, saying he was set to “reaffirm with NATO allies and others the recognition that the security of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific is inseparable."
Ishiba had planned to hold bilateral meetings alongside other events.
Location :Japan
First Published:News world Japan Prime Minister Ishiba To Skip NATO Summit: Reports
