His prime minister Japan Fumio Kishida said today that his government has no plans to join the country in NATOHowever, he noted that the possibility of opening a communications office in Tokyo by the Alliance is being considered.

Mr. Kishida made these statements a few days after the Japanese Ambassador’s statement on USAToji Komita that the Atlantic Alliance plans to set up a delegation in the Japanese capital – it will be the first in Asia – for greater coordination.

“I am not yet aware of any decision” by NATO on this matter, the head of government said, speaking in parliament. He insisted that his government had no plans for Japan to join a US-led military alliance.

^{According to Reuters}