Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations In the open debate at the United Nations Security Council The year 2026 began with a mixture of hope and turmoil in the Middle East.
New York – Rashad Alkhader – From UN
Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki said
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
In open debate in the United Nations Security Council
Thank you, Mr. President.
The year 2026 started with the mixture of hope and unrest in the Middle East. The situation in the region remains fragile, and the international community must further strengthen our collective efforts to realize peace and stability.
We welcome the continued general maintenance of the ceasefire in Gaza. However, sporadic clashes and military attacks persist. All parties must adhere to the ceasefire agreement and make every effort to prevent further casualties.
Japan also welcomes the adoption of Security Council resolution 2803, which endorses and calls on all parties to implement the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” announced by the U.S. President in September last year.
Based on our commitment to actively contributing to the realization of peace and stability in the Middle East, Japan has consistently supported President Trump’s initiatives toward peace in the Middle East, including those concerning Gaza.
In this regard, along with sorrow, we note that the return of the last Israeli hostage’s body was finally achieved. Japan pays respect to the earnest efforts of relevant countries including the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye. It is now necessary to steadily advance the second phase of the Comprehensive Plan. Japan is committed to playing a proactive role through concrete actions including sending our experts.
While some improvement in the humanitarian situation has been observed, the people of Gaza continue to face difficult conditions. We strongly urge Israel to take appropriate measures to ensure that humanitarian assistance activities by international organizations, including UNRWA, and NGOs can be carried out without hindrance.
Japan has supported a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine co-exist side by side in peace and stability.
Settlement activities are in violation of international law, and we have grave concern that the expansion of settlements and the increased settler violence in the West Bank further destabilize the situation. Japan demands that Israel immediately cease any unilateral actions that run counter to the two-state solution.
Mr. President,
Japan is closely monitoring the developments in Iran that have been taking place since the end of last year. Any attempt to address peaceful demonstrations through the use of violence is unacceptable. In this context, Japan strongly calls for the immediate cessation of violence, and strongly hopes for an early settlement of the situation.
In Yemen, the security situation remains fragile, and humanitarian conditions are only worsening. We take note of the Security Council decision on the mandate of UNMHA to cease its operation on March 31. We call for a prudent transition to avoid a security vacuum that would further destabilize the country and the region. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of the UN staff and other people detained by the Houthis.
On Syria, in December last year, one year has passed since the collapse of the Assad regime, a high-level Japanese delegation visited Damascus and announced the resumption of bilateral cooperation for the first time since 2011. We believe our coordinated efforts support an inclusive, peaceful, and stable political transition led by the Syrian government, which has undergone a historic change.
Mr. President,
Our shared goal is to maintain momentum toward peace and take action to prevent the Middle East from being drawn back into the vortex of war and turmoil. Japan will leverage its strengths and actively contribute to that end.
