Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi plan to visit the Turkish capital of Ankara from Monday through Thursday to attend NATO summit-related events.The government reported the plan to a board meeting of the Upper House’s Committee on Rules and Administration on Friday, where it received approval.Tokyo had initially considered having Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attend the events, but decided against it because of her parliamentary commitments. It will be the second consecutive year that a Japanese prime minister has missed the gatherings, following Shigeru Ishiba’s absence last year.

Motegi will attend in Takaichi’s place.