Israel Foreign Relations Japan

A Japanese official expressed support for Israel on Sunday after some bitter complaints about Tokyo's policy toward the Jewish state during the Gulf War. Deputy Foreign Minister Hisashi Owada met with Foreign Minister David Levy and brought a message from Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama condemning Iraqi missile attacks on Israel and proclaiming solidarity with Israel, Israeli officials said.

The Japanese have asked the Arab nations to suspend their boycott of trade with Israel, a move that brings Japan's Middle East policy in line with that of the rest of the industrial world and that could boost its potential role as a peacemaker in the region.

The Israeli government Sunday defended a new military crackdown on Palestinian protesters as a general strike closed down most of the occupied territories. The crackdown has caused record casualties, with at least 18 Palestinians being killed in the past 10 days and 52 admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds on Thursday and Friday alone.

The Bush Administration is putting pressure on Japan to improve its ties with the Israelis, and, in particular, to bring to an end the longstanding compliance by many Japanese companies with the Arab boycott of trade with Israel. During a series of meetings here during the last two days, Secretary of State James A. Baker III and other U.S.

The Bush Administration is putting pressure on Japan to improve its ties with the Israelis, and, in particular, to bring to an end the longstanding compliance by many Japanese companies with the Arab boycott of trade with Israel. During a series of meetings here during the last two days, Secretary of State James A. Baker III and other U.S.

Japan expects to dispense $10 billion annually in various forms of foreign aid over the next five years, and it hopes part of that sum will support its bid for a greater political role in the Middle East, a senior government official told Israeli leaders Sunday.

The Japanese have asked the Arab nations to suspend their boycott of trade with Israel, a move that brings Japan's Middle East policy in line with that of the rest of the industrial world and that could boost its potential role as a peacemaker in the region.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.'s participation in an Arab-led boycott of Israel could complicate its efforts to purchase MCA Inc., whose chairman, Lew R. Wasserman, is one of Hollywood's leading supporters of Jewish and Israeli causes. Matsushita's policy, which has not been widely publicized, bars the Japanese electronics giant from conducting any direct trade with Israel. That policy would technically prevent Matsushita from selling MCA's movies and television shows to Israel. But U.S.

For a clue on how pacifist, mercantile Japan fits into the complex patchwork of political interests in the Middle East, consider its relationship with Israel. For most of the past two decades, the Jewish state has been a virtual pariah in the eyes of this oil-thirsty and export-hungry economic giant. Japan bluntly and unapologetically chose to serve its strategic energy needs over its avowed commitment to the principles of free trade.

A Japanese official expressed support for Israel on Sunday after some bitter complaints about Tokyo's policy toward the Jewish state during the Gulf War. Deputy Foreign Minister Hisashi Owada met with Foreign Minister David Levy and brought a message from Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama condemning Iraqi missile attacks on Israel and proclaiming solidarity with Israel, Israeli officials said.

For a clue on how pacifist, mercantile Japan fits into the complex patchwork of political interests in the Middle East, consider its relationship with Israel. For most of the past two decades, the Jewish state has been a virtual pariah in the eyes of this oil-thirsty and export-hungry economic giant. Japan bluntly and unapologetically chose to serve its strategic energy needs over its avowed commitment to the principles of free trade.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.'s participation in an Arab-led boycott of Israel could complicate its efforts to purchase MCA Inc., whose chairman, Lew R. Wasserman, is one of Hollywood's leading supporters of Jewish and Israeli causes. Matsushita's policy, which has not been widely publicized, bars the Japanese electronics giant from conducting any direct trade with Israel. That policy would technically prevent Matsushita from selling MCA's movies and television shows to Israel. But U.S.

The Israeli government Sunday defended a new military crackdown on Palestinian protesters as a general strike closed down most of the occupied territories. The crackdown has caused record casualties, with at least 18 Palestinians being killed in the past 10 days and 52 admitted to hospital with gunshot wounds on Thursday and Friday alone.

Japan expects to dispense $10 billion annually in various forms of foreign aid over the next five years, and it hopes part of that sum will support its bid for a greater political role in the Middle East, a senior government official told Israeli leaders Sunday.