Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday congratulated Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on her “historic election.”
“We look forward to further deepening the partnership between Japan and Israel across various fields and building a prosperous and secure future for both our nations,” tweeted Sa’ar.
Takaichi, who leads Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was voted in as premier by a clear majority of the nation’s parliament on Monday.
While the 64-year-old conservative defeated four men in the race for the LDP leadership in early October, her path to the top position appeared blocked when a coalition partner, the Komeito Party, withdrew support.
However, a last-minute deal on Monday evening with another opposition party, the right- leaning Japan Innovation Party, saved her bid for the premiership.
Sa’ar paid a visit to Tokyo in May of this year, marking the first official trip by an Israeli foreign minister to travel to the country in 15 years.
Upon his arrival, Sa’ar told reporters that Jerusalem was grateful for Tokyo’s “steadfast support” since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
He said that both Israel and Japan sought peace, security and stability, but said the presence of Hamas terrorists in Gaza impeded that goal.
