TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba moderated his stance on a number of policy proposals during questioning in parliament on Monday, including the creation of an Asian version of NATO, with an eye on Oct. 27 snap lower house elections.
Ishiba said during a question-and-answer session with opposition party leaders that the Asian NATO “cannot be launched overnight.” He floated the idea of a NATO-style collective security framework in Asia last month during his campaign to become leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.