Press Releases
Courtesy Call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs NAKASONE by H.E. Mr. Jibril Mahmoud Mohammed ALRJOUB, President of the Palestine Olympic Committee (President of the Palestine Football Association, and Secretary General for Fatah Central Committee)
October 19, 2026
On October 19, commencing at 11:30 a.m., for approximately 30 minutes, State Minister for Foreign Affairs NAKASONE Yasutaka received a courtesy call from H.E. Mr. Jibril Mahmoud Mohammed ALRJOUB, President of the Palestine Olympic Committee (President of the Palestine Football Association, and Secretary General for Fatah Central Committee), who is visiting Japan.
- At the outset, State Minister NAKASONE referred to the long-standing important role that President ALRJOUB has played in the sports world and political arena, and explained Japan’s position that the holding of a series of elections would constitute an important step toward establishing democratic institutions in Palestine and that the postponement of the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, which had been scheduled for the end of next month, was deeply regrettable. While expressing understanding that the unstable situation in Gaza and the West Bank was one of the reasons for the postponement of the elections, he expressed Japan’s strong expectations that all the concerned parties, including the Palestinian factions as well as the Israeli government, will make constructive efforts to facilitate the early holding of elections and that the PA would continue to steadily advance its reforms in the meantime. In response, President ALRJOUB explained the situation on the ground, including domestic political developments, their assessments, and future prospects.
- State Minister NAKASONE reaffirmed Japan’s consistent support for a two-state solution and explained that Japan has been supporting Palestine’s medium- to long-term economic viability and state-building efforts in close coordination with the PA including through Japan’s unique initiatives such as the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) and the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park (JAIP). Furthermore, he stated that Japan intends to play an active role in the rebuilding of Gaza, and that there is a need to cooperate not only with the PA but also with the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which is expected to play a transitional role in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803. In response, President ALRJOUB expressed his gratitude for Japan’s longstanding assistance and expectations for its future role, and handed over the letter from H.E. Dr. Mahmoud ABBAS, President of Palestine, to Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan.
- Both sides held a wide-ranging exchange of views on the situations surrounding Palestine and Japan-Palestine relations including exchange through sports.