Japan's Measures Toward the Middle East Peace Process
February 2003
Japan is making efforts toward peace in the Middle East, including political activities on various occasions and bilateral assistance for the Palestinians. The outline of recent Japan's efforts is as follows.
1. Political Support
On various occasions such as high-level meetings, telephone talks, and delivery of letters, Japan has continuously called on the parties concerned to calm down the present conflicts and work toward the peace in the region. Japan also has held consultations on the issue with related countries and organizations, including the United States and other G8 countries, the European Union, the United Nations, and countries in the region. The following are recent examples.
Letters by the Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
Prior to the Arab Summit (held in Beirut on the 27th and 28th of March 2002), Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi wrote letters on March 22, expressing his expectations that the Arab countries would issue a constructive message toward the peace in the region, to the leaders of the main countries in the region, including President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, King Abdullah of Jordan, President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon, President Bashar Assad of Syria, and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, and to Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat.
Calls by Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi
Since late March 2002, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi has held a series of meetings and telephone talks with the parties directly concerned in Middle East peace (Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Abu Ala, PLC Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Sha'ath, then Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, etc.) and also with other related figures (U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, EU High Representative Javier Solana, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, etc.), engaging in positive calls and consultations to end the vicious cycle of violence. Furthermore, on May 2, she dispatched former Ambassador to Israel Hiroshi Shigeta to the region to call on the parties concerned to calm the situation.
Visits to Japan by dignitaries involved in Middle East peace
| March, 2002 | PLC Speaker Abu Ala |
| May | Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher |
| June | Israeli National Security Council Chairman Ozi Dayan |
| July | Jordanian King Abdullah, Foreign Minister Muasher, and others |
| October | Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri |
| December | PA Planning and International Cooperation Minister Nabil Sha'ath, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Mahex Al Masri, and Others |
Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's visit to the Middle East
On June 8 and 9, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi visited Israel and the Palestinian Autonomous Areas. She announced that Japan would continue humanitarian assistance and support, centering on human resources development and the reform of the Palestinian Authority. Toward the establishment of an independent state of Palestine, Foreign Minister Kawaguchi also announced a Roadmap for Japan's Assistance to Palestinians.
Special Envoy Tatsuo Arima's visit to the Middle East
In May 2002, to make multifaceted approach for peace to related countries, Representative of the Government of Japan, Mr. Tatsuo Arima was appointed as special envoy in charge of peace in the Middle East. After accompanying Foreign Minister Kawaguchi on her visit to Israel and the Palestinian Autonomous Areas in June, Dr. Arima visited Syria and Lebanon from 10th to 12th of June for talks with President Bashar Assad, Foreign Minister Farouk Sharaa and others in Syria, and Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud and others in Lebanon. Dr. Arima called for positive involvement in the Middle East peace process in each meeting.
Furthermore, Dr. Arima had talks with dignitaries in the Middle East as follows:
| August 1 to 7 | He visited Egypt and Jordan for talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher, and others. | |
| August 31 | He visited Saudi Arabia for a talk with Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal. | |
| November 2 to 7 | He visited Israel and the Palestinian Autonomous Areas for talks with Chairman Yasser Arafat, Secretary-General of Executive Committee of the PLO Abu Mazen, Minister of Local Government Saieb Erakat, and others on the Palestinian side, and Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit, former Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, and others on the Israeli side. |
2. Bilateral Assistance for the Palestinians
Japan has implemented more than $630 million worth of assistance to the Palestinians since 1993, including the building of infrastructure, schools and hospitals, and the support for job creation. Japan also provides economic assistance to the Arab countries related to Middle East peace (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon). Japan also hosted the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee Meeting on Assistance to the Palestinians in Tokyo in October 1999.
In order to alleviate economic hardship of the Palestinians caused by the conflict beginning the end of September 2000, Japan has provided $50 million worth of assistance to the Palestinians, responding to emergency needs, including medical and food supplies, and job creation.
Following the roadmap of the assistance to the Palestinians, Japan will support the Palestinians in accordance with the progress of the peace process, and has implemented assistance toward Palestinian nation-building based on Japan's Support for the Palestinian Authority Reform.
3. Multilateral Consultations
With the belief that multilateral consultations promote regional cooperation and bilateral talks, Japan actively takes part in multilateral consultations, including the Environmental Working Group, of which Japan is chair. (At present, these consultations have been suspended.)
4. Personnel Contribution
Since February 1996, Japan has dispatched 45 personnel to the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) peacekeeping operation deployed in the Golan Heights.
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