Press Releases
Japan-Yemen Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Call
September 14, 2026
On September 14, commencing at 5:50 p.m. for 30 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone call with H.E. Ms. Afrah Al-Zouba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Republic of Yemen.
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI expressed his condolences regarding a significant number of casualties caused by the Houthi attacks, and noted that these attacks are destabilizing the entire region, including the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, posing a significant threat to the free and safe navigation of the strait. Minister MOTEGI further stressed that Japan is deeply concerned about the rapid deterioration of the situation, and strongly denounces the recent series of attacks by the Houthis, stressing that any attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, as well as any actions that impede the free and safe navigation of vessels, cannot ever be tolerated. He also explainded that, in his recent telephone call with H.E. Dr. Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran, he had once again called on Iran to urge the Houthis to exercise restraint.
- Minister MOTEGI also emphasized the importance of achieving peace in Yemen, noting that stability in Yemen is directly linked to stability of the entire Middle East. Minister MOTEGI stated that Japan, as a core member of the Yemen Maritime Security Partnership (YMSP), will continue to extend its full support to the Government of Yemen, including through capacity-building assistance for the Yemeni Coast Guard, with a view to ensuring the safety of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
- In response, Minister Al-Zouba highly appreciated Japan's approach on Yemen, including the recent Press Secretary's Statement denouncing the Houthi attacks, and the assistance which Japan has provided to Yemen. Minister Al-Zouba also explained both developments on the Houthis and efforts to be undertaken by the Government of Yemen.
- The two ministers also exchanged views on the situation surrounding Iran, and concurred on the importance of an early de-escalation of the situation and of ensuring free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without additional costs, and they confirmed that they would continue to work in close coordination with each other.
- The two ministers concurred that stability in Yemen and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is of critical importance to the international community as a whole, including from the perspective of energy security as well, and agreed to continue to work closely together toward an early de-escalation of the situation.