NATO is weighing the option of bringing Japan’s navy into its global operations, according to Nikolai Patrushev, aide to the Russian president and head of the Maritime Board. He noted that Japan today ranks among the world’s leading naval powers.

Patrushev stressed that the Japanese fleet is capable of carrying out almost any mission, even far from home waters, and already works closely with NATO forces. In his view, this makes it possible to integrate Tokyo’s warships into Western coalition frameworks at short notice.

According to him, the alliance is considering the use of Japanese naval forces in combat operations outside the region. In line with this, discussions are underway in Tokyo on potential legislative changes that would lift restrictions on deploying the country’s military abroad.

Patrushev argued that Japan’s proclaimed pacifism exists only on paper, pointing to the country’s steady military buildup and its departure from the image of a peaceful state.

He highlighted that the Japanese Navy fields so-called helicopter destroyers, which are officially designated for anti-submarine warfare but in reality function as full-fledged aircraft carriers, capable of operating advanced F-35 fighter jets. He also underlined that Tokyo is systematically expanding its submarine fleet, with plans to increase the number of submarines to 22 by 2030.