• Japan and Canada abstain from joint statement in support of Israel after deadly attacks by Hamas from Gaza
• Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno: Japan’s absence from the statement may be attributed to its desire to maintain flexibility in its approach

Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Five G7 members on Monday issued a joint statement in support of Israel after deadly attacks by Hamas from Gaza — but Japan and Canada were not among them.

The statement was issued by France’s President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and the US President Joe Biden.

The five leaders expressed their “steadfast and united support to the State of Israel” and condemned Hamas’s “appalling acts of terrorism.”

When asked by Arab News why Japan did not sign the document, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said: “Japan, as the chair country of the G7, has been closely collaborating with member nations and engaging in discussions with each country regarding the pursuit of peace. It seems that the joint statement was issued to reflect the diverse perspectives and positions of each G7 member on the matter.

“Japan’s absence from the statement may be attributed to its desire to maintain flexibility in its approach, while actively working behind the scenes to mediate and exert influence on both Palestine and Israel. Japan remains committed to making efforts toward de-escalation and contributing to the peaceful resolution of the situation.”

The five leaders’ statement emphasized that they recognized “the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people” and added: “Hamas does not represent those aspirations.”