NATO, Japan's security 'inseparable,' says NATO chiefbr br NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says on April 8, 2025 that the security of NATO and Japan is 'inseparable' during a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister in Tokyo. Speaking to Gen Nakatani, Rutte said that NATO would like to work more closely with Japan as facing many of the same challenges together. He also appraised Japan’s Self-Defense Force during the meeting as he boarded an SDF frigate, the Mogami, at a maritime base in Yokosuka earlier near Tokyo. Rutte will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on April 9.