Kono to visit Middle East, Europe, US

December 8, 2017

Tokyo- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Friday he will visit Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, France, Britain and the United States in a 10-day tour that will begin the same day.

"The situation surrounding the Middle East could worsen," Kono told a press conference, citing U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"Japan will do what it can to contribute to the peace process (in the region), with the United States expected to have difficulties acting as a mediator," Kono said.

On the first leg of the trip, Kono visit Bahrain, where he will be the first Japanese foreign minister to attend an international security conference known as the Manama Dialogue. At the meeting, Kono will deliver a speech on measures Tokyo has been taking to help stabilize the Middle East.

During his visit to Bahrain and the UAE, Kono is expected to exchange opinions in his meetings with key figures about Trump's recognition of Jerusalem.

The foreign minister will be in Paris on Tuesday to attend a summit on climate change.

In London on Thursday, Kono will participate in talks involving the Japanese and British foreign and defense ministers, together with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera. The ministers are expected to confirm such plans as expanding joint drills between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the British armed forces.

In the United States, Kono will serve as chair at a ministerial meeting of the U.N. Security Council to be held in New York on Dec. 15. Japan, currently a nonpermanent member of the UNSC, holds the key panel's rotating presidency in December.

Kono hopes to lead discussions at the meeting on strengthening pressure against North Korea, which is pushing ahead with its nuclear and missile development programs, informed sources said.

His initial plan to visit Saudi Arabia was canceled due to scheduling difficulties on the Saudi Arabian side amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the sources said. Jiji Press