Largest-ever Japanese parliamentary delegation visits Israel in signal of closer ties under new government

A delegation of 15 Japanese lawmakers visited southern Israel this week, where they met with survivors of the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and toured the site of the Nova Music Festival attack. The visit is widely viewed as a signal that Japan’s new Takaichi-led government is seeking to strengthen bilateral ties with Israel.

The delegation is reportedly the largest group of Japanese parliamentarians ever to visit Israel. Assaf Shegev, Israel’s deputy ambassador to Japan, accompanied the lawmakers, many of whom were visiting Israel for the first time.

The lawmakers met with senior Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. They also visited prominent Israeli sites such as Jerusalem’s Old City, including the Western Wall, and sampled local food, including falafel, and was warmly received by Israelis throughout the visit.

The delegation's visit comes ahead of a visit by Japan’s new foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, who is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Sunday and meet with Herzog and Sa’ar.

Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen said, “The important visit of the parliamentary delegation is further evidence of the strong ties between Japan and Israel.”

“Early next week, Foreign Minister Motegi will visit Israel, a direct continuation of this week’s delegation visit. The sequence of visits reflects Japan’s strong interest in Israel and its recognition of Israel’s unique strengths,” Cohen added.

In October 2025, Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister.

Japan has historically been hesitant towards developing close ties with Israel due to its reliance on oil imports from Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East. However, the incumbent Japanese prime minister has embraced the diplomatic legacy of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who supported strong diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel.

While several G7 countries – including the United Kingdom, France, and Canada – moved last year to unilaterally recognize a “State of Palestine” over objections from Jerusalem and Washington, Japan signaled in September that it would not join the growing list of countries taking that step.

Japan’s close ties with the United States likely played a significant role in Tokyo’s decision to keep a low profile on unilateral diplomatic recognitions in the Middle East. Yet, Japan has embraced the two-state solution as a future path towards peace in the Middle East. The Japanese lawmakers were also briefed on Israel’s complex security challenges.

"Japan has consistently supported a two-state solution, understanding the Palestinian desire to establish an independent state, and supported their efforts toward that end," Japanese Spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi stated during a press conference in September.

Japan emphasized that the timing was not appropriate for such recognition, citing concerns that ongoing Israeli military operations could undermine the foundation of a future two-state solution.

Japan has contributed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials, therefore, view the delegation's visit to Israel as an opportunity to explain how humanitarian assistance to Gaza is delivered and administered in practice.