Japan and Sweden Elevate Partnership, Focus on Security Cooperation in Face of Russia's Threat

Japan and Sweden Elevate Partnership, Focus on Security Cooperation

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson met in Tokyo on Wednesday, agreeing to elevate their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. This move comes as both nations face the threat of Russia and seek to strengthen cooperation in various areas, particularly security.

Kristersson's visit marked the first by a Swedish prime minister since 2008. Notably, Sweden's policy of neutrality and nonalignment shifted following Russia's aggression against Ukraine, leading to its membership in NATO earlier this year.

"I would like to steadily continue cooperation in the fields of security and economy," stated Ishiba at the meeting's outset. Kristersson reciprocated, emphasizing Sweden's view of Japan as a crucial like-minded country.

Their joint statement reaffirmed support for Ukraine and continued sanctions against Russia. Additionally, Japan and Sweden condemned North Korea's nuclear missile program and its military ties with Russia. Recognizing the interconnectedness of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security, they stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners, including Japan.

Prior to the meeting, Japanese and Swedish defense and economic ministers held separate discussions in Tokyo. These talks resulted in agreements to promote cooperation in defense equipment and technology, high-level exchanges, and collaboration on nuclear power generation technology development.