Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba Cancels NATO Summit Visit; Foreign Minister To Attend Instead

Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba has cancelled his June 24–26 visit to the NATO Summit in the Netherlands, the Foreign Ministry announced.

“Prime Minister Ishiba’s visit to The Hague, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has been cancelled due to various circumstances,” the ministry stated without elaborating on the reasons.

Foreign Minister Iwaya to represent Japan

Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will attend the NATO events and hold bilateral talks in Ishiba’s place.

The meetings will include discussions with G7 nations and other stakeholders on pressing global issues.

The Foreign Ministry emphasised that Iwaya’s participation will help Japan continue to engage in critical dialogue and represent its strategic interests in global security affairs.

Fourth consecutive NATO participation for Japan

Japan had earlier confirmed Ishiba’s participation, which would have marked the fourth consecutive year a Japanese Prime Minister attended the NATO Summit.

Japan first received an invitation to the summit in 2022 and has since expanded its collaboration with the alliance.

Tokyo aimed to strengthen NATO ties, stressing the shared security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

“Japan aims to discuss concrete methods of cooperation with NATO and other Indo-Pacific partners,” the ministry had previously stated.

NATO to focus on Deterrence and Defence at The Hague

At the Hague summit, NATO leaders will focus on boosting collective defence to tackle emerging global threats as a 32-member alliance.

Ahead of the summit, NATO released a statement noting, “We live in a more dangerous world, and this is a critical moment for our security. Allies are coming together to reinforce their cooperation and commitment to NATO.”

Alliance to approve major Defence investment plan

During the Paris Air Show, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska said allies are set to approve a major defence investment plan.

It will raise spending to the highest levels in decades.

The plan reflects rising global tensions and aligns with NATO’s Capability Targets set on June 5, 2025.

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