TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko said Japan is not intentionally linking Islam with terrorism – despite repeated warnings that connect the two – while pointing out that the Moscow concert attack shows there is a need for caution, especially during Ramadan and other holidays, such as Christmas.

“In the past, ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) and other Islamic extremist organizations have called for stepping up operations and campaigns during Ramadan,” Kamikawa said on Tuesday in reply to a question from Arab News Japan concerning repeated warnings by the Foreign Ministry’s Travel Safety Division for Japanese travelers to the Middle East that suggest terrorist attacks may occur in that month, and around Friday prayers. 

“The risk of a terror attack may increase (during Ramadan),” Kamikawa added. For that reason, every year before the month of Ramadan, MOFA has issued a travel advisory for Japanese living, traveling, or staying abroad.”

Kamikawa noted that the Foreign Ministry issued a region-wide advisory on February 27, and there was a terrorist attack near Moscow on March 22. Such advisories, she added, are intended to warn against the possibility of Islamic extremist organizations intensifying their activities during Ramadan. 

“There is no intention to link Islam with terrorism not just for Ramadan but also before Christmas and New Year’s Day and also before major events when more people have opportunities to get together and could become targets of terrorism,” Kamikawa stated. So, we issued alerts on these occasions. We would appreciate it if you could understand the true meaning of such alerts,” the Japanese Foreign Minister said.