Chizu Kurita is feeling the pressure of being the first Japanese officer to be dispatched to NATO headquarters in Brussels to strengthen ties between Japan and the U.S.-dominated military alliance, but sees "good opportunities" too.
Lt. Col. Kurita of the Ground Self-Defense Force is tasked with incorporating women's viewpoints into security policy, such as boosting female roles in the military sphere and participation in peace-building activities during her two-year assignment, which started in December.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed in April 1949 and now consists of 28 countries across North America and Europe.