Press Releases

　On October 24, commencing at 5:00 PM for approximately 50 minutes, Foreign Minister Taro Kono received a courtesy call from H.E. Mr. Israel Katz, Minister of Transportation and Road Safety and the Minister of Intelligence of Israel. The overview of the courtesy call is as follows:

1. Foreign Minister Kono welcomed Minister Katz’s visit to Japan, noted that this year marked the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Israel, and was able to reconfirm the close partnership between the two countries through, inter-alia, ministerial visits such as those by Minister Katz, as well as through the summit meeting held between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the time of the United Nations General Assembly high-level week.
2. The two Ministers then exchanged views on regional issues including North Korea, Iran, and the Middle East Peace Process. Foreign Minister Kono noted that Japan is contributing to confidence building and the stability of the region through such intiatives as the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity”. Minister Katz also explained his views on his plan for connecting Israel’s railways with railway networks of countries in the surrounding region. Foreign Minister Kono thanked Minister Katz for his explanations, and the two shared the view that they will continue to exchange views on this matter.