Press Conferences

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu: Today, during my visit to Israel and Palestine, the first overseas destinations this year, I held meetings with Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Sa’ar, as well as Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh and Prime Minister Mustafa.

I conveyed that the steady implementation of the Comprehensive Plan is crucial for improving the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, and that Japan will play a proactive role in this regard.

Japan has maintained good relations with both Israel and Palestine. Building on this relationship of trust with both sides, I aimed during my visit to convey Japan’s candid views on concrete steps going forward, and to explain how Japan will cooperate.

To elaborate a bit further, toward the full realization of peace in the Middle East, resolving long-standing mutual distrust between Israel and Palestine is crucial as this will lead to the regional stability. From this perspective, I frankly conveyed that there are things that Israel needs to fulfill, and likewise, things that Palestine needs to fulfill.

During my courtesy call on Prime Minister Netanyahu and my meeting with Foreign Minister Sa’ar, I strongly condemned the attacks by Hamas and expressed Japan’s concern about the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza.

In addition, I expressed deep concern over the expansion of settlements and the increase in settler violence in the West Bank, and called for such actions to be halted. I requested prompt and appropriate measures from the Israeli side. I also strongly urged Israel to take appropriate responses to ensure unimpeded humanitarian assistance activities by international organizations, including NGOs, which are extremely important.

On the Palestinian side, Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh and Prime Minister Mustafa explained that they intend to advance the Palestinian Authority’s 60-point reform plan. I encouraged the steady implementation of these reforms and conveyed that Japan will continue to firmly support Palestinian state-building efforts toward the realization of “two-state solution.”

I believe that the discussions were highly meaningful. Japan has built good relations with both Palestine and Israel. Building on that foundation, Japan conveyed candidly to both sides the points I have just mentioned.

I sensed that these messages were carefully received not as harsh criticism, but rather as advice from a friend.

Japan intends to continue playing a proactive role toward the reconstruction of Gaza. Specifically, there are three major pillars: first, continued engagement in the governance mechanism of Gaza; second, comprehensive support for state-building efforts of Palestine; and third, expansion of assistance through Japan’s own initiatives such as Conference on cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD). I conveyed that Japan would advance the three-pillar approach to sustain peace in the Middle East.

Regarding the first pillar, which is continued engagement in the governance mechanism of Gaza, today I visited the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), accompanied by Ambassador OKUBO Takeshi, a Japanese expert and a representative from JICA. Japan has decided to dispatch Ambassador OKUBO and one Japanese expert to the CMCC, and this decision was conveyed to the relevant parties.

Japan intends to pursue diplomacy that is unique to Japan, including the promotion of these efforts, toward the realization of lasting peace and prosperity in the Middle East. That concludes my opening remarks.

Reporter: I would like to ask about the CMCC you just mentioned. While it is expected to play an important role as a coordination agency, with the United States serving as the main actor, the Palestinian Authority is not participating. There are concerns from Arab countries about a peace plan and Gaza reconstruction without the involvement of the Palestinian Authority. Given Japan's unique Middle East diplomacy with Israel, Palestine, and Arab countries, how does Japan intend to contribute to the CMCC and to peace in Gaza?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: First of all, as I mentioned earlier, Japan intends to contribute to regional peace and stability, particularly towards the reconstruction of Gaza, based on the three pillars outlined earlier.

Japan has decided to dispatch Ambassador OKUBO and other experts to the CMCC, and while coordinating with relevant countries and international organizations, Japan intends to contribute adamantly to the smooth implementation of humanitarian aid and the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.

Under the “Comprehensive Plan,” in addition to the CMCC, the establishment of a committee of Palestinian experts responsible for the daily operations of the Gaza Strip is also planned. Japan intends to support this committee as well.

As for Palestine, I believe the reform of the Palestinian Authority is extremely important. We will continue to support this and promote the enhancement of Palestine’s governance capacity. This does not in any way mean excluding Palestinians or Palestine from reconstruction of Gaza. That said, we believe that advancing the reform of the Palestinian Authority will lead to overall stability in the region.

Reporter: I would like to ask about support for Palestine. Among the initiatives mentioned earlier, cooperation through CEAPAD, involving Southeast Asian countries, was included. On the other hand, there are increasingly skeptical views globally, such as developments involving the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In supporting Palestine’s economic viability, how does Japan intend to expand this effort internationally, and how does Japan plan to call on the international community?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: CEAPAD, which you just mentioned, is one of the three pillars through which Japan supports this region. We initiated it in 2013, and it already includes 11 countries, regions, and international organizations as participants. We are conducting various initiatives to support Palestine’s economic viability, including in the areas of agriculture, industrial development, and private sector development. Last year, the Philippines, which I will be visiting later on this trip, also officially joined CEAPAD.

In addition, last September, the “Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority” was formed among like-minded countries. Japan has participated from the beginning and is strengthening its financial support.

I believe it is extremely important for each country to play its respective role toward the stability of the entire international community. While Japan attaches importance to CEAPAD, which it took the lead in launching, we will advance multilateral support for this region and pursue Japan’s own initiatives. Rather than focusing on what other countries do, I believe it is essential for Japan to proactively take the initiative and expand the circle of like-minded countries to provide support.

Reporter: Today, Minister MOTEGI met with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. With protests are taking place across various parts of Iran, did the Iranian situation come up during your meeting? Also, could you share your views on the current situation in Iran, as well as the Japanese government’s response, including the protection of Japanese nationals?

Foreign Minister MOTEGI: Today I held four meetings. In most of those meetings, we exchanged views on a wide range of international issues, including the very serious situation in Iran, as well as the broader international situation, not only Middle East peace but also the situation in East Asia. As for the situation in Iran, Japan’s position has already been communicated by Prime Minister TAKAICHI on X, and I have also issued a statement. In light of reports that many people have been killed or injured in the ongoing protests in Iran, the Government of Japan is deeply concerned about the deterioration of the situation.

The Government also opposes any use of force against peaceful protests, strongly calls for the immediate cessation of violence, and strongly hopes for an early settlement of the situation.

In response to this, we have already designated border areas and other dangerous zones in Iran as Level 4, and today we raised all remaining areas to Level 3 “Avoid all travel.” The government will continue to closely monitor the situation and take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals, including through safety confirmations and the issuance of spot information, although communication conditions are extremely poor in some areas.