Press Releases
Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the Situation in Egypt
July 4, 2013
- Japan recognizes that there continues to be an unpredictable situation in Egypt, including the massive demonstrations and accompanying casualties that have occurred since the end of June, as well as the announcement by Egyptian Defence Minister General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in the early morning of July 4 (Japan time) that the constitution of the country was being temporarily suspended, that presidential elections would be held soon, and that an interim government would be established under the Chief of the Egyptian Supreme Court Mr. Adly al-Mansour. Japan continues to monitor the developing situation with strong interest and concern.
- Japan calls on all relevant parties to desist from acts of violence and behave with the greatest extent of self-restraint and responsibility. At the same time, Japan expects progress on national reconciliation and sincere cooperation among all parties through democratic procedures in order to allow stability to be achieved quickly and make it possible for the Egyptian Government to overcome the economic and social issues it faces.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not received any information to date concerning Japanese citizens in Egypt coming to harm. On July 3, Japan raised its level of Travel Information in Egypt from “Please take sufficient caution” to “Please consider the necessity of travel carefully.” We are exerting the maximum effort to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens through such activities as providing information updates and instructions that Japanese citizens present in the country exercise caution from the Embassy of Japan in Egypt as necessary. The Ministry will continue to take all possible measures.
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* The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of the original in Japanese.