RAMALLAH, January 11, 2026 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Sunday received Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at his office in Ramallah, where they discussed the latest developments in Palestine and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Varsen Aghabekian Shahin and Japan’s Ambassador to Palestine ARAIKE Katsuhiko.
Mustafa conveyed the greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas and expressed his appreciation to Japan’s leadership, government, and people for their continued support for Palestine and its people.
He stressed the need for Japan to recognize the State of Palestine, noting that such a step would contribute to achieving peace and stability in the region.
The Prime Minister highlighted the dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israel’s aggression, which has so far left nearly 70,000 Palestinians killed, destroyed around 350,000 housing units, and devastated most infrastructure.
He stressed the importance of advancing international efforts to move forward with the peace and reconstruction plan, while ensuring the legal mandate of the State of Palestine in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and the unity of institutions, on the path toward realizing an independent Palestinian state.
Mustafa also reviewed the difficult economic situation in the occupied West Bank due to Israeli measures and practices aimed at undermining Palestinian institutions and the government and strangling the Palestinian people. These include the continued withholding of Palestinian tax revenues, as well as attacks by Israeli occupation forces and colonists on cities, towns, villages, and refugee camps.
He added that since the formation of the government, work has focused on a 60-item national program for development, advancement, and institutional reform to modernize institutional, legislative, and economic frameworks and enhance services provided to the Palestinian people.
The Prime Minister praised Japan’s continued support for the State of Palestine, including the recent aid package under the 2025 supplementary budget, which helps bolster development efforts in Palestine in the face of economic and humanitarian challenges.
Regarding the Japanese minister’s visit to Jalazone Refugee Camp, Mustafa said the visit was significant at this time and conveyed a message that the Palestinian people remain determined to stay and remain steadfast until freedom and independence. He also praised Japanese support aimed at improving living conditions in refugee camps, whether through direct assistance or through UNRWA.
For his part, the Japanese foreign minister reaffirmed his country’s firm position in support of the two-state solution, the building of Palestinian state institutions, and efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in the region.
T.R.
