November 18, 2023

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on November 17 met with Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko at the Foreign Ministry office building and demanded that the Japanese government urgently take action to help bring Israel's attacks on Gaza to a halt and achieve an immediate ceasefire.

Shii said, "It is impermissible for Hamas to have indiscriminately attacked civilians. Our party demands the release of hostages without delay. At the same time, it is also unacceptable for Israeli forces to launch a major offense and commit genocide against Palestinians for any reason."

Regarding the Israel’s air attack on a Gaza hospital following the airstrike against a refugee camp, Shii said, "Japan should clearly criticize these military campaigns for infringing upon international law and should demand that Israel immediately stop its military operations which have killed more than 12,000 civilians."

Referring to the fact that the UNSC adopted a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, Shii said, "This resolution is a very important step forward but is not enough to resolve the situation. The Japanese government should call on the international community for not only humanitarian pauses but also an immediate ceasefire."

Kamikawa in response said, "We are working on Israel to abide by international law."

Shii said, "It is a matter of course for Japan to urge Israel to abide by international law, but Japan should firmly condemn Israel troops' actions as a violation of international humanitarian law and should demand an immediate halt."

Kamikawa, however, said that Japan will not legally judge whether their actions are in violation of international humanitarian law.

Shii said that many UN officials as well as the UN secretary general have declared that their actions constitute a breach of international humanitarian law, and criticized the Japanese government for its irresponsible attitude.

Shii again said, "Israel's attacks on Gaza are killing many civilians including more than 5,000 children. Japan should at least demand that Israel stop the slaughter."

Kamikawa responded, "I believe Israel should stop its attacks."

Shii said, "If you really believe 'Israel should stop', you should demand that Israel stop its military operations without delay."

Regarding the UNSC resolution, Kamikawa repeatedly stated, "A step-by-step approach is important." She, however, did not call for an immediate ceasefire.

Shii said, "I must say it is shameful that Japan has no intent to call for a ceasefire. A ceasefire is now the demand of the international community." He pointed out that the world's governments, including Japan, should call for more than humanitarian pauses and that they should embark on efforts to realize an immediate ceasefire. He said, "An immediate ceasefire does not contradict the call for a humanitarian truce as demanded in the UNSC resolution."

However, Kamikawa showed no intent to endorse a ceasefire.

Shii said, "It is a crying shame." He pointed out that the UNSC resolution calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days, and that Israel, however, refuses to accept even humanitarian pauses. He said, "Japan as a UNSC member should demand that Israel comply with the UNSC resolution."

Kamikawa just said, "We will request it to Israel,"

Shii said, "You have just stated now that Japan will make that request to Israel, so Japan should take concrete action in an assertive manner."