NGRN’s Head of Asian Region Visits Leading Japanese Think Tanks

Yurii Poita, Head of the Asian Region at NGRN, conducted a series of highly substantive discussions with leading Japanese think tanks during his recent visit to Japan. The meetings focused on the security environment in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, as well as opportunities for enhanced cooperation between Ukraine, Japan, and Europe.

Key Takeaways:

1. Convergence of Views on the Russia–Ukraine War
The Japanese expert community’s position on the Russia–Ukraine war is closely aligned with that of Europe. There is no doubt about the deep interconnection between the European and Indo-Pacific theaters: a deterioration of the situation in Europe would automatically bring significant negative consequences for Japan. In this context, Japan is prepared to deepen its ties with Europe—particularly with Ukraine—across several promising areas.

2. Clear-eyed View of China’s Role
Japan holds no illusions about China’s destructive role in the Russia–Ukraine war. Concerns regarding China’s military buildup and infrastructure for hybrid operations against Japan remain substantial. Tokyo is also closely watching U.S. efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution in Ukraine, firmly believing that concessions at the expense of Ukraine’s interests could have serious repercussions for Japan. These circumstances create favorable conditions for Ukrainian diplomacy to intensify engagement with Tokyo.

3. Strategic Priorities in Relations with the U.S. and Europe
Although Japan has concerns about the policies of the current U.S. administration, its primary strategic objective remains the development of a robust model of cooperation with Washington, regardless of the political figures in power. Strengthening the defense partnership with the United States is Japan’s number one priority. At the same time, Japan seeks to deepen ties with other partners, particularly in Europe, laying a strong foundation for further developing its relationship with Ukraine.

This visit underscored Japan’s growing recognition of the strategic link between European and Indo-Pacific security, and it opened new avenues for strengthening Ukraine–Japan cooperation in political, security, and economic domains.