TOKYO: OISHI Akiko, a member of Japan’s parliament representing the Reiwa Shinsengumi party, denounced Israel for committing “genocide” and crimes against the Palestinians, and accused the Japanese government of being “subordinate” to the US and effectively condoning the Israeli government’s massacre in Gaza.

Oishi told Arab News Japan that it is very unfortunate that the Japanese government is sending out the message that Hamas is “a terrorist organization” and Israel is a “victim.”

“The Japanese government is subordinate to the US government and thus supports the Israeli government’s massacre,” she said. “I am protesting that, and I would like to express my intention to protest during the questions in the Diet. Japanese Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA visited Israel in early November and I think it is unforgivable to visit and support Israel and to express Japan’s solidarity.”

Oishi said the threat by an Israeli politician that Israel should consider using nuclear weapons in the conflict is outrageous and Japan should firmly stand against any such suggestion. “It shows that the Israelis have a clear intention to eradicate people,” she said. “Violations of international law have been pointed out, but I believe this is outrageous genocide and a crime.”

Oishi says her party has made suggestions in a statement to help solve the crisis given the very high number of Palestinian victims.

“First, Israel’s indiscriminate airstrikes and ground incursions into Gaza are unacceptable and must be stopped immediately. Second, Israel’s long-standing occupation of Palestine violates several international laws and should be examined and corrected at the United Nations. We must do something about it. Third, as an ally, the Japanese government should ask the United States to stop supporting Israel.”

Oishi says the Japanese government should make diplomatic efforts with Palestine, including Hamas. She, however, added that Hamas should also release the civilians being held hostage.

“In addition, we already know that Israel is also holding thousands of Palestinians, and we believe the release and exchange of such people should take place,” said Oishi, who added that Japan should stop following the lead of others, such as the G7, and stand behind its own principles.

“Japan should take its own stand,” she declares. “Japan is following the G7. The same was true of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At the G7 Hiroshima Summit held this year, Japan expressed its support for the statement requiring nuclear weapons. Despite being the chair, the attitude is far from Japan’s own. I think that the so-called Western double standards have become apparent to the world over the recent massacre in Gaza.”

“We recognize the value of democracy, liberal ideas and human rights that people have cultivated at the grassroots level. Therefore, I think there is a healthy grassroots movement among the people. However, Western governments have shown their true colors and double standards in their recent actions.”

Oishi also accused some Japanese media of unnatural bias towards Israel.

“The nature of the West’s double standards are emerging,” she said. “However, I believe that many people should be aware of this and be more politically enlightened to communicate new values to Japan that are more universal and will never allow discrimination or slaughter of some ethnic groups.”

The Japanese member of Parliament said she wants to see people from around the world unite “to create a world of new values.”

“As a Diet member, I would like to pursue peaceful diplomacy aimed at achieving this goal.”

However, she added, her party has just eight members of parliament and is in the minority when it comes to Israel and other issues.

“Other parties also have members with strong will, but most argue that both Hamas and Israel are bad, or it’s a cycle of violence, or that they do not sufficiently resist existing ideas.”

Oishi is a former Osaka prefectural official. She stood for the Reiwa Shinsengumi party and won a seat in the House of Representatives in October 2021 through proportional representation.