NATO Secretary General Rutte Has Dialogue with Japanese Dual-use Startup Companies and Meets with Minister Muto

1. Dialogue with dual-use startup companies

A total of eight Japanese dual-use startup companies presented their products and technologies using actual products or mock-ups thereof. H.E. Mr. Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of NATO and his delegation heard explanations from each startup regarding those products.

This was followed by a roundtable meeting, where the delegation led by NATO Secretary General Rutte exchanged views with the participating companies on how dual-use startups should be harnessed to promote innovations in the defense industry, among other matters.

2．Meeting with Mr. Muto Yoji, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry

In a historic first, a meeting between the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the NATO Secretary General took place, during which they exchanged views on the promotion of defense industrial cooperation between Japan and NATO.

At the meeting, Minister Muto touched on Japan’s government-wide efforts to strengthen its defense production and technological base. He also shared the importance of harnessing the technologies of dual-use startups in the defense sector as well as the civilian sector to reinforce the industrial base in both fields, while closely cooperating and collaborating on such initiatives with ally and like-minded countries including the members of NATO.

In addition, with regard to strengthening defense industrial cooperation, which is a shared priority for Japan and NATO, both sides concurred to continue deepening the cooperation, including making use of the advanced technologies of dual-use startups.

Division in Charge

Aerospace and Defense Industry Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau