Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan has welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 2728 calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and has once again repeated its condemnation of Hamas while failing to address the actions of the Israeli military against Palestinians.

UNSCR 2728 demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

A statement by Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko on Wednesday said that “Japan, having unequivocally condemned terror attacks by Hamas and other (Palestinian armed groups,) remains seriously concerned about the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza and has been making various diplomatic efforts towards ensuring a conducive environment for sufficient humanitarian assistance activities, promptly realizing a humanitarian ceasefire that leads to the release of the remaining hostages, and then achieving a sustainable ceasefire.”

Japan, which has the presidency of the Security Council this month, worked as a co-penholder of the resolution along with other non-permanent members of the Security Council.

Kamikawa added that Japan “will continue to actively and persistently make diplomatic efforts, such as reaching out to the countries concerned, from the perspective of what the most pragmatic approach is to improve the situation.”

Kamikawa has maintained the Japanese policy of avoiding all criticism of Israel and resorts to an ambiguous “all parties,” urging them to abide by international law, including international humanitarian law, and to act in good faith “based on relevant UNSCRs, including the recently adopted Resolution 2728.”

While repeatedly condemning Hamas and other Palestinian groups and branding them as “terrorists” and applying sever sanctions on them, Japan has not acknowledged that Israel has committed atrocities in Gaza- capturing many thousands of Palestinians immediately following the October 7 attack, torturing some and preventing most aid from reaching the citizens who are supposedly in safe shelters. Although they recognized Japan’s supportive and friendly long term policy toward the Palestinians, some Arabs have expressed disappointment with the failure of Japan to show a modicum of condemnation of Israel over its atrocities.