(Japanese media: NATO is considering setting up an office in Japan to strengthen cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region)-- according to Kyodo News, Japanese Ambassador to the United States Hiroji Tomita held a press conference in Washington on 9 May that NATO (NATO) is discussing the opening of a liaison office in Japan. Tomita said he had not yet heard that the matter had been finally confirmed, but that "work was being carried out in this direction".