Arab News Japan

TOKYO:  Okano Masataka, the Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister, conveyed to the Israeli ambassador in Tokyo, Gilad Cohen, Japan’s “solidarity with the Israeli people who are facing a historic challenge,” and said that Japan “categorically condemns the recent terrorist attacks launched by Hamas and other Palestinian fighters.”

Furthermore, Deputy Minister Okano stated that the “brutal and indiscriminate (Palestinian) attacks that occurred at this time cannot be justified, and Israel clearly has the right to defend itself and its people in accordance with international law.”

The meeting took place on 11 October at the foreign ministry for 30 minutes, to discuss the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine.

Deputy Minister Okano expressed Japan’s hope to calm the situation as soon as possible, according to a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.