In the evening of December 25, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Jerusalem with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono.
According to the press service of the head of government, Prime Minister Netanyahu, during a conversation with a foreign guest, said:
"I'm glad to see you again. I must say that more than 20 years ago, when I was first elected, Japan was the first country I visited in Asia. I said then that we have complementary qualities that can create an excellent partnership.
It took us some time, but I think that Prime Minister Abe's visit, your visit, my visit to Japan and the ties that have been established between us over the years point to the availability of this potential.
The future belongs to innovators. Japan has great potential in science, engineering, industry and marketing. Israel has created unique innovative developments in all areas. Japanese companies come to Israel, and this is an expression of a unique partnership, which, I believe, has endless possibilities.
We both live in difficult regions, but we are committed to the pursuit of prosperity, security and peace, and I think that it is easier for each of us to achieve this with the help of another.
In this spirit, I again welcome you. Give my warm greetings to Prime Minister Abe. "
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, in a reciprocal word, said:
"This is my first visit to Israel as the Foreign Minister, but the fourth in a row. Thanks to your visit to Japan, the Prime Minister, I think bilateral relations are developing. In particular, over the past three years, the number of Japanese companies in Israel has doubled, and the volume of Japanese investments in Israel has increased 20-fold. I believe that bilateral relations are well advanced, and we want to continue this movement.
Many thanks for your support of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, which is celebrated this year, and next year we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. I hope we can take the opportunity and take our relationship to the next stage. "
