NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Japan in April ― six months after he took office ― seeking stronger ties with the country. NHK World's Sugita Sachiyo had an exclusive interview with the political heavyweight who shared his insights on issues ranging from Japan's technological prowess to concerns about China.
Rutte also revealed his own personal connection with Japan. Sugita offers a firsthand account of the visit, followed by a transcript of the pair’s interview which was originally broadcast on April 10.