Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan’s Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko, who is visiting Thailand, held a telephone talk with her Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on Oct. 12 and said she is paying close attention to the situation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, with great concern and asked for Egypt support in case Japanese nationals wanted to depart from Gaza to Egypt.

The ministers discussed the situation surrounding Palestine and Israel.

According to a statement by the ministry in Tokyo, Minister Kamikawa condemned unequivocally “the recent terror attacks” by Hamas and other Palestinian militants, especially the attacks on, and kidnapping of, innocent civilians, and said this cannot be justified for any reason. Kamikawa also said she is deeply saddened by the loss of lives of so many innocent civilians and that it is important for the numerous Israeli civilians being held hostage to be released as soon as possible.

In addition, Minister Kamikawa expressed appreciation for Egypt’s diplomatic efforts on this matter and stated that Japan has been communicating with the parties concerned to calm down the situation and that Japan would like to continue its cooperation with Egypt.

Minister Shoukry stated that he shared grave concern about the situation on the ground and explained Egypt’s diplomatic efforts in the wake of the attack. According to the statement, he also stated that Egypt is ready to provide the support Japanese nationals need in case of their departure.

The two ministers concurred on maintaining close cooperation between the two countries to calm the situation.