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Japan hails Sweden's decision to join NATO

TOKYO, June 29 (KUNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday welcomed Sweden's "historic" decision to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported.
In their meeting on the fringes of a NATO summit in the Spanish city, Kishida and his Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson agreed to oppose any unilateral use of force to change the status quo amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the report said.
Kishida and Andersson also agreed to step up bilateral cooperation as Japan takes over the Group of Seven (G-7) presidency next year and Sweden will chair the Council of the European Union (EU).
Both leaders agreed Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shaken the foundation of order, not just in Europe but also in Asia, and that coordination among nations sharing the same basic values is more important than ever, it said.
Japan and Sweden are not members of NATO but were invited to the two-day summit. (end) mk.ibi