Big news from Asia: NATO appears to be expanding into Japan.

In plans confirmed by both, NATO will open a liaison office in Tokyo, the first of its kind in Asia.

The office will allow the military alliance to conduct periodic consultations with Japan and key partners in the region, such as South Korea, Australia and New Zealand as China emerges as a new challenge, alongside its traditional focus on Russia.

And this report said that both sides will also upgrade their cooperation, aiming to sign an Individually Tailored Partnership Programe (ITPP) before the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 11-12. The two sides will deepen collaboration in tackling cyber threats, coordinate stances on emerging and disruptive technologies, and exchange notes on fighting disinformation.