Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry NISHIMURA Yasutoshi paid a courtesy call on Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday and emphasized the close business relations between the two countries as he seeks to increase business ties with Israel.

Nishimura was accompanied by 29 representatives from Japanese industries and he noted that economic relations between Japan and Israel “have been developing well” one year after the two countries celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations.

“Japan’s investment in Israel has reached $3 billion annually and the number of Japanese companies operating there has tripled over the past decade to 90,” Nishimura pointed out.

Nishimura has visited Israel on several occasions since his first visit more than 30 years ago as a backpacker. He accompanied Prime Minister ABE Shinzo to Israel in 2018 and says he will “continue to contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and peace and stability in the region.”

Nishimura also visited Palestine and met with Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.

Nishimura expressed Japan’s support for the efforts of the Palestinian government to develop the economy, particularly the Jericho Agro-Industrial Zone project that was implemented with the help of the Japanese government.

The minister stressed the importance of developing trade and holding more joint meetings between the two countries and also institutionalizing the bilateral relationship through a memorandum of understanding.

Nishimura and Abbas agreed to build mechanisms to maintain relations and stimulate economic ties.

Officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have said that with China strengthening its hegemonic behavior and Russia continuing its war against Ukraine, the international situation is destabilizing. The officials said the Ministry intends to visit various countries in order to strengthen cooperation with them.

Nishimura’s trip will also take him to Turkiye and the United Kingdom, where he will give a speech at the Institute for International Strategic Studies on further deepening Japan-UK relations.