RAMALLAH, August 14, 2025 (WAFA) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Matsumoto Hisashi on Thursday at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.
The President welcomed the Japanese delegation, headed by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and conveyed his greetings to the Emperor of Japan, Naruhito, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
He praised Japan's commitment to peace and the two-state solution, to halting the war in Gaza, facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid, handing over hostages, and rejecting colonies and colonist violence. He described these stances as a reflection of Japan's belief in peace.
The President praised Japan's humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza Strip, its support for UNRWA, its support for building Palestinian institutions and economy, Japan's support for establishing the Corridor for Peace and Prosperity, and the CEPAD Group, which supports the building of Palestinian state institutions.
He emphasized the State of Palestine's keenness to strengthen the friendly relations and joint cooperation between the two countries.
The President emphasized to the Japanese guest the Palestinian position on the necessity of achieving an immediate and permanent ceasefire, accelerating the delivery of humanitarian aid to end the war of starvation, and releasing hostages.
He also called for ensuring the State of Palestine assumes full civil and security responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, and requiring all Palestinian factions to hand over their weapons to the Palestinian Authority under the principle of one system, one law, and one legitimate weapon.
He reiterated that "we do not want an armed state," emphasizing the necessity of a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the commencement of the reconstruction process, and holding general elections within one year.
He also emphasized the necessity of achieving a comprehensive ceasefire in the West Bank, halting settlement activity and annexation attempts, halting settler terrorism, releasing withheld Palestinian funds, and halting attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The President praised Japan's significant and active participation in the International Peace Conference in New York, the results achieved therein, and the importance of building on this during the summit-level meetings of the conference during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly next September. He highly appreciated the recognition of the State of Palestine by a number of countries, calling on friendly Japan, which believes in the two-state solution, to recognize the State of Palestine.
The President underscored Japan’s vital role in advancing the two-state solution, building Palestinian state institutions, and supporting reform, development, and reconstruction programs, as a friend to both Palestinians and Israelis, and in achieving peace and stability both regionally and globally.
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