Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba used an online meeting of Group of Seven leaders on Saturday to raise alarm over growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, particularly North Korea¡¯s deployment of troops to Russia, warning that the developments have a ¡°direct impact¡± on security in the Indo-Pacific region.

North Korea stunned the world in recent months by sending over 10,000 troops to Russia for its war in Ukraine, marking Pyongyang¡¯s first large-scale military deployment since the Korean War.

The move has unnerved Japan, South Korea and the U.S., with officials now pointing to a clear link between the Ukraine conflict and Asia¡¯s increasingly fraught security environment.

Ishiba told G7 leaders that the security of Europe ¡ª including Ukraine ¡ª and the Indo-Pacific is becoming even more closely connected, and that Japan ¡°would like to coordinate and cooperate¡± more closely in response.

During the video conference, Ishiba also emphasized the need for ¡°like-minded countries¡± to strengthen cooperation on Indo-Pacific issues, including concerns related to China, while also reiterating a call for continued support in resolving the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents decades ago.

The Japanese leader also emphasized the importance of ongoing support for Ukraine and stated that Tokyo is considering additional sanctions against third-country organizations and entities involved in sanctions evasion ¡ª comments that were seen as a veiled jab at Beijing, which the U.S. says is providing a lifeline to Russia in its war in Ukraine.

Japan will also continue to focus on providing winter energy support, Ishiba said, as well as recovery and reconstruction assistance for Ukraine, with the goal of helping the country achieve ¡°lasting peace.¡±

On Syria, Ishiba said further destabilization in the country must be avoided, with the Japanese leader emphasizing the need for international support to ensure a peaceful and stable transition. The rebel-backed interim government has pledged to uphold the rule of law following the ousting of President Bashar Assad, marking the end of five decades of repressive rule under the Assad family earlier this week.

G7 leaders have expressed their readiness to support Syria¡¯s transition to an ¡°inclusive and nonsectarian¡± government, emphasizing the protection of human rights, particularly for women and minorities, and underscoring ¡°the importance of holding the Assad regime accountable for its crimes.¡±

During the overnight meeting, Ishiba also voiced concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and reaffirmed Japan¡¯s commitment to supporting efforts for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas militants.