Jerusalem/Ramallah, January 12, 2026 — Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has called on Israel to immediately stop unilateral actions that undermine the prospects for a two-state solution, expressing Japan's "serious concerns" over the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and rising settler violence. The diplomatic message was delivered during a series of high-level meetings in Israel and the Palestinian territories on January 11, 2026, as part of Motegi's nine-day regional tour aimed at promoting peace, stability, and humanitarian support in the Middle East.
In a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem (noted in some reports as Tel Aviv, though the primary discussions occurred in Jerusalem), Motegi reiterated Japan's condemnation of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack while voicing "deep concern" over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. He urged Israel to "take appropriate responses" to protect civilians and ensure unimpeded humanitarian assistance, particularly by allowing international organizations such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and other NGOs to operate without restrictions.
Regarding the West Bank, Motegi explicitly stated that Israeli settlement activities violate international law. He highlighted Japan's alarm that continued expansion of settlements and increased incidents of settler violence could further destabilize the region, potentially jeopardizing long-term peace efforts. The Japanese foreign minister "strongly urged" Israel to "immediately cease any unilateral actions that run counter to a two-state solution," according to an official readout from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
The discussions also addressed the implementation of a U.S.-brokered comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, which includes provisions for ceasefire monitoring, demilitarization, and reconstruction. Motegi emphasized the need for "robust" and "steady" implementation of the plan, with Japan pledging an active role in Gaza's rebuilding and Palestinian state-building initiatives. To support these efforts, Japan has dispatched Ambassador Takeshi Okubo (special envoy for Gaza reconstruction support) and a specialist to the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel. Motegi personally inspected the center during his visit, underscoring Tokyo's commitment to coordinating humanitarian aid delivery amid the fragile post-conflict environment.
Later on January 11, Motegi traveled to the West Bank for talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Ramallah. He outlined Japan's consistent support for a two-state solution, stressing the importance of sustaining peace through reconstruction in Gaza and institutional development for a future Palestinian state. The two sides agreed to collaborate on peace and stability in the Middle East and formally established the "Japan-Palestine High-level Political Dialogue" as a mechanism for ongoing bilateral engagement.
Motegi also visited the Jalazone refugee camp near Ramallah to gain firsthand insight into the living conditions of Palestinian refugees and observe Japan's on-the-ground assistance programs for Palestinian state-building. The visit highlighted Tokyo's long-standing humanitarian support, including development aid, infrastructure projects, and capacity-building initiatives in the territories.
The diplomatic engagements come at a critical juncture following a U.S.-led ceasefire agreement in Gaza and ongoing efforts to implement a broader peace framework proposed under the current U.S. administration. While Israel has expressed commitment to the plan—contingent on Hamas disarmament and Gaza's demilitarization—tensions persist over settlement policies, humanitarian access, and regional stability.
Japan's position aligns with international consensus, including UN resolutions declaring West Bank settlements illegal under international law. Tokyo has previously sanctioned individual Israeli settlers involved in violence and consistently advocated for a freeze on settlement activities. This latest intervention reflects Japan's proactive diplomacy in the Middle East, where it seeks to balance relations with Israel (a key partner in technology and innovation) and the Palestinians (a long-term recipient of Japanese aid).
Motegi's tour, which began on January 10, continues with visits to Qatar for talks with his Qatari counterpart, followed by stops in India and the Philippines, before concluding on January 18. The itinerary underscores Japan's broader strategic engagement in Asia and the Middle East, focusing on energy security, economic cooperation, and conflict resolution.
Analysts view the visit as a timely reaffirmation of Japan's role as a neutral, constructive actor in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially amid global calls for sustained humanitarian efforts and progress toward a viable two-state outcome. The establishment of the Japan-Palestine High-level Political Dialogue marks a new chapter in bilateral ties, potentially paving the way for enhanced cooperation on reconstruction and state-building.
As the region navigates fragile ceasefires and reconstruction challenges, Japan's diplomatic outreach serves as a reminder of the international community's shared interest in achieving lasting peace and stability.
