Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi begins today his first official visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, during which he is expected to encourage both sides to engage in dialogue "as the only way to solve the ongoing conflict".
"Tension is increasing lately. Japan will ask for as much restraint as possible and look for ways to prevent the spiral of animosity and violence," he said before leaving.
"It's true that the atmosphere in the Mideast now may not be conducive to discussions, but the long-term road both nations are on remains the same, and talks are the only solution," a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said at a briefing ahead of the trip.
Koizumi, who will step down in two and half months, is going to Jerusalem on his way to Russia for the G8 summit. His visit had originally been scheduled for January but then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's illness forced its cancellation.
According to some sources, the visit is seen as an opportunity to strengthen Israeli ties with one of the world's economic powerhouses.
Japan is also Palestine's second largest donor after the European Union and Koizumi is likely to offer fresh humanitarian aid through international organisations.
Since 1993 Japan has given US$ 844 million to the Palestinian people. And "[a]s a result, we haven't really had to change our aid stance since Hamas took power," the official said. "Besides, President Abbas is not from Hamas."
The Japanese Prime Minister will meet tomorrow his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Olmert as well as Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, President Moshe Katsav and Vice Premier Shimon Peres. Afterwards he is scheduled to visit Yad Vashem. Thursday, he will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.