Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has decided to withdraw from the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague from June 24 to 26, the Japanese Kyodo news agency reported, citing informed sources in government circles. Earlier, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung refused to attend the summit, which was an unexpected move for the alliance's two key partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

The reasons that prompted the leaders of the two countries to cancel their participation have not been officially disclosed. However, according to Japanese television channel NHK, Ishiba’s decision may be related to the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, in particular, the recent US strikes on targets in Iran. In addition, sources point to the possible absence of US President-elect Donald Trump, whose position on NATO remains a subject of discussion. Analysts suggest that Ishiba decided to refrain from traveling to avoid uncertainty in high-level negotiations, especially in conditions when NATO’s format of interaction with partners from the Indo-Pacific region (Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, known as IP-4) is in question.

For Japan, the decision to withdraw from the NATO summit will be the first time since 2022 that the country will not be represented at the highest level at this venue. Shigeru Ishiba, who took office as prime minister in October 2024, has previously been a vocal supporter of strengthening ties with the alliance, viewing it as a tool to contain China and North Korea. In 2022 and 2023, his predecessor Fumio Kishida attended NATO summits in Madrid and Vilnius, emphasizing the strategic importance of cooperation with the West. Ishiba’s decision, on the contrary, may signal a temporary reassessment of Tokyo’s foreign policy priorities.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who was elected in June 2025 in a snap election following the impeachment of Yun Seok-yol, also declined to travel to The Hague. His decision is likely linked to domestic political challenges. Lee, who represents the opposition Toburo Democratic Party, has focused on rebuilding the national economy and establishing dialogue with the DPRK. Participation in the NATO summit, where European security issues are primarily discussed, could be perceived as a lower priority in light of these tasks. Lee also seeks to strengthen relations with China, which may explain his caution in the context of strengthening ties with NATO.