Khaldon Azhari Tokyo

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi condemned the missile launch against Saudi Arabia by Houthi forces in Yemen last Sunday and said that the world should be united at this time to fight the coronavirus.

Speaking at a news conference in the foreign ministry Tuesday, Motegi said that Houthi forces in Yemen launched missiles across the border toward Saudi Arabia, as they have been doing continuously, and that Japan denounces the action resolutely.

Motegi called on related parties there to reach a ceasefire, saying: "We are concerned about the situation there, and we support the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres to cease fire.”

Motegi also strongly criticized the fourth ballistic missile launch that was conducted March 29 by North Korea, calling it a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

He said that the launch has caused serious concerns internationally.

Motegi said that such an action cannot be accepted and therefore, with the other G7 countries, he would like to encourage collaboration and support of the implementation of US measures, along with the related UN Security Council resolutions.

Motegi stressed that what the world is facing right now is the coronavirus and that each country and region should understand that in such a situation it is not the time for launching a missile as the whole world needs to be united in its response to the virus.