TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi declined to comment on the possibility of imposing sanctions on Israel to help bring about peace, resorting to expressions of “concern.”

“We are very much and gravely concerned about the growing tensions in the Middle East,” Iwaya said at a press conference in a reply to a question from Arab News Japan. “Japan strongly condemns any actions that could further escalate the situation. The peace and stability of the Middle East region is extremely important, so Japan is urging maximum restraint from all the parties involved, including Israel, to ensure tensions are reduced. 

“I had a telephone conversation with the Israeli Foreign Minister, and I made this point directly to him. We have been working to advance the peace process and will continue to do so based on cooperation with regional countries and the G7 to realize a two-state solution and ensure long-term peace in the Middle East,” Minister Iwaya said.

Iwaya also expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s decision to curb the involvement of UNRWA in Palestine after a bill was passed in the Israeli parliament.

“Israel’s bill severely limits UNRWA activities, and we are gravely concerned by this because not only in Gaza, but across the Middle East region, millions of Palestinians have been assisted by UNRWA in terms of humanitarian and health assistance,” Iwaya said. “So, UNRWA’s continued presence needs to be secured. Japan has, along with G7 countries, expressed grave concern over this bill.”

Iwaya stressed that Japan would continue to press Israel on the matter and work on humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians.