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On November 21, DPJ President Banri Kaieda received a courtesy call from Israeli Ambassador Ruth Kahanoff. The meeting was also attended by DPJ Acting President Yoshiaki Takaki.
At the start of the meeting, Ambassador Kahanoff stated, "I feel that there is a lot we can do together. Japan is Israel's oldest friend in Asia, and we were the first country in the Middle-East to establish diplomatic ties with Japan, with last year seeing the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. We enjoy good relations with each other that cross all political parties. I wanted very much to meet with you and the DPJ to hear about your agenda." In response, Kaieda said, "I hope that peace in the Middle-East Peace Process can be achieved in a harmonious fashion. Israel is home to many famous historical sites, and so I would like the situation to be stabilized so that more of my countrymen have an opportunity to visit your beautiful country."
Following this, the two sides exchanged views on a variety of issues including the peace process, energy, cutting end technology, and IT. Takaki stated, "My home district is in Nagasaki, and I believe that we need to take a lead in ridding the world of nuclear weapons." In response, the Ambassador commented, "We in Israel share your vision of a world, and a Middle-East free from nuclear weapons, but the Middle-East is a tough neighbourhood, and I think the way is long before we can achieve this vision that we share."
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