The Development and Meaning of Japan-NATO Relations: Exploring the Expandability of Korea-Japan Relations

Heesik Choi

choihs@kookmin.ac.kr

Kookmin University

South Korea and Japan are strengthening ties with NATO, arguing for security inseperatibility in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. Individually Tailored Partnership Program (ITPP) between Korea and Japan does not show much difference in cooperation fields such as cyber security, newly emerging technology, public diplomacy, and human security. At the same time, both has been participating in cyber attack and defense training organized by the NATO Cyber Defense Center since 2021. The reason why we are trying to restore Korea-Japan relations is to defend and develop international liberalism with vital interests for the national interests of the two countries along with cooperation between the two countries that share basic values. Trump's risk is still exists due to next year's U.S. presidential election. In the end, strengthening relations with Europe is inevitable in order to establish a system that can firmly defend international liberalism despite political changes in the United States. In terms of NATO policy, it is necessary to find the scalability of Korea-Japan relations in Korea-Japan cooperation.