Overview

• Ishiba’s decision was announced on June 23, one day before he was due to depart Tokyo.
• The prime minister’s withdrawal followed U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21.
• South Korea and Australia, along with the U.S., have similarly opted out of sending their leaders.
• A planned meeting between NATO and the four-member IP-4 group now appears unlikely to proceed.
• Japan has been invited to NATO summits since 2022 and will maintain its partner engagement at the June 24-26 meeting in The Hague.