Press Releases
Courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs HORII by foreign partners in the field of peace mediation
May 11, 2026
On May 11, Mr. HORII Iwao, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan received a courtesy call from foreign partners in the field of peace mediation visiting Japan at the invitation of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation's Center for Mediation Support.
- State Minister HORII explained the background behind the establishment of the "International Peace Mediation Unit" within Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March of this year, noting that as the international environment becomes increasingly severe and conflicts continue to emerge across the globe, the imperative of preventing disputes before they arise and supporting early resolution by engaging from the outset of conflicts and providing seamless support from the realization of ceasefire through humanitarian assistance, recovery and reconstruction has become ever more pronounced.
- In response, the participants expressed their opinions on the knowledge and experience cultivated over many years, as well as the current situation and challenges in the field of peace mediation, and stated their desire to work closely with Japan.
(Reference) Participants
- Humaid bin Ali Al Maani, Head of Diplomatic Academy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oman
- Tim Enderlin, Head of the Peace and Human Rights Division, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland
- Alp Ay, Director General of International Mediation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey
- Katia Papagianni, Director, Mediation Support and Policy, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
- Jonathan Cohen, Executive Director, Conciliation Resources
- Matthias Siegfried, Senior Mediation Advisor, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
- Roger Dubach, Ambassador of Switzerland to Japan
- Akiko Horiba, Director, Center for Mediation Support, Sasakawa Peace Foundation