Japan-Israel Relations
Japan-Israel Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Working Lunch
January 11, 2026
On January 11 commencing at 12:20 p.m. local time (7:20 p.m. on January 11, Japan time) for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a foreign ministers' meeting and working lunch with H.E. Mr. Gideon Sa'ar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, during his visit to Israel. The overview is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI strongly condemned the terror attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He also emphasized that Hamas should disarm in line with the Comprehensive Plan. He expressed Japan's commitment to playing a proactive role in improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza and in engaging in the early-recovery and reconstruction through “Efforts for Sustaining Peace”.
- Minister MOTEGI also urged Israel to take appropriate responses as to protection of civilians and ensuring the humanitarian assistance in Gaza, based on Japan’s position attaching the great importance to the compliance to the international law including the international humanitarian law. Specifically, Minister MOTEGI strongly urged Israel to take appropriate responses to ensure unimpeded humanitarian assistance activities by international organizations, including UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), and NGOs.
- Regarding the situation in the West Bank, Minister MOTEGI stated that settlement activities are in violation of international law. He expressed Japan's serious concerns that the expansion of settlements and the increase in settler violence would further destabilize the situation in the region, urging Israel to immediately cease any unilateral actions that run counter to a two-state solution. In response, Minister Sa'ar explained Israel's position.
- During exchanging views on the situations in the Middle East and East Asia, Minister MOTEGI pointed out that maintaining peace and stability while aiming for sustainable economic development is a crucial issue for each region. The two ministers also exchanged views on the ongoing protests in Iran.
- Both foreign ministers concurred on maintaining dialogue on bilateral relations from a medium- to long-term perspective.
(Reference)
Efforts for sustaining peace (English (PDF)
/ Arabic (PDF) / Japanese (PDF))