Japan's Foreign Minister Leaves for Middle East

Tokyo, Dec. 24 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono left for a tour of the Middle East, including Israel and Palestine, Sunday night. On Monday, Kono will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Palestinian territories. The Japanese minister plans to call on both leaders to take a constructive approach to promote Middle East peace. Kono will be the first foreign minister of a major country to meet both Israeli and Palestinian leaders since U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital earlier this month. Japan voted in favor of a U.N. General Assembly resolution rejecting Trump's recognition of Jerusalem last week, distancing itself from the Trump administration over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Kono's tour will also include visits to Jordan, Oman and Turkey. He plans to confirm cooperation to promote efforts to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. END