Sa’ar in Japan for first official visit by Israeli FM in 15 years

Gideon Sa’ar arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday, marking the first visit by an Israeli foreign minister to Japan in 15 years.

The foreign minister opened his remarks at a meeting with Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Iwaya Takeshi, saying, “Israel and Japan share longstanding and deep roots.”

“We are two ancient nations with glorious traditions, an impressive present, and a promising, bright future,” Sa’ar continued.

Sa’ar said Israel was grateful for Japan’s “steadfast support” since Oct. 7, decrying Hamas for its refusal to disarm, as well as return the remaining hostages. He maintained that both Israel and Japan sought peace, security, and stability, but noted Hamas’s presence impeded that aim.

Israel’s foreign minister reiterated his government’s support for the U.S.-led initiative to allocate aid to the people of Gaza, while not allowing it to fall into Hamas’s hands; and called on the international community to support those efforts.

“We hope our objectives are achieved and that this war ends soon. We want to return to the path of expanding the circle of peace and normalization in the Middle East,” Sa’ar explained.

He recalled two recent occasions in which Israel sent aid to Japan: the first after the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, and subsequently the Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024.

Before inviting his Japanese counterpart to a reciprocal visit to Israel, Sa’ar said his visit was a special opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly relating to the economy, defense, innovation, science, technology, and people-to-people.

In a post to his official X account, Sa’ar wrote: “Honored to meet Japanese FM Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo. I conveyed our deep appreciation for Japan’s support after October 7th. Israel and Japan are two ancient nations, with glorious traditions and promising futures. I look forward to further strengthening our relations!” He added a message of thanks in Japanese: “長年にわたるあたたかい友情に、心より感謝申し上げます。” (“I sincerely thank you for your warm friendship over many years.”)

Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy and a G7 member, has played a supportive role toward Israel in recent months. Since Oct. 7, Tokyo has affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, expressed solidarity, imposed sanctions on senior Hamas officials, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages, a fact which Sa’ar acknowledged in his meeting with his Japanese counterpart.

The minister will speak at a reception hosted by Israel’s ambassador to Japan in honor of the country’s 77th Independence Day, and is scheduled to meet with members of the Japan-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association.

The visit is part of Israel’s broader diplomatic push to engage key international allies amid ongoing conflict and geopolitical shifts in the region.