Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko declined to condemn the missile attack on the Iranian Consulate in Syria, which is believed to have been carried out by Israel.

Kamikawa was asked at a press conference why Japan repeatedly condemns the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 but fails to react in a similar fashion on attacks carried out by Israel.

“Japan would like to refrain from making a definitive assessment of this issue while it is difficult for Japan to fully grasp the facts,” Kamikawa stated. “In general, under international law, attacks on foreign diplomatic missions and high-ranking officials should not be allowed. Japan is closely monitoring the situation in the region with great concern.”

Kamikawa was also asked if Japan received intelligence information from its allies, who have missile-tracking capabilities, on the trajectory of missile attacks by Israel. Japan monitors missile launches by North Korea.

“I would like to refrain from revealing the details of diplomatic exchanges, including whether or not we have received information on the missiles’ trajectory,” Kamikawa said.

Kamikawa was also asked about the participation of Israel in the Osaka-Kansai Expo that will take place next year and comparisons with Russia. With Israel killing civilians by the thousands in Gaza, it was suggested that taking part in a life-affirming expo would be inappropriate.

“In principle, each country should make its own decision on whether to participate in the Expo,” Kamikawa replied. “Furthermore, I believe that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia was a serious violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, which prohibits the use of force, and is incompatible with the theme of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.”

Kamikawa continued to take a stance that implies Israel is justified in its actions against Gaza. “Israel’s actions in Gaza were directly triggered by terrorist attacks on Israeli territory by Hamas and others,” she said. “It is not appropriate to treat them in the same way as Russia’s unilateral invasion of Ukraine.”