Blinken thanks Japanese minister for denouncing Hamas' attacks on Israel

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ahead of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Tokyo on Nov. 7, 2023. (AFP)

• Japan has taken a cautious approach to the crisis, resisting pressure to fall in line with the pro-Israel stance of its closest ally

TOKYO: Top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken discussed the situation in Gaza with his Japanese counterpart on Tuesday, including the need to increase humanitarian aid, the State Department said.
"The secretary thanked Foreign Minister Kamikawa for denouncing Hamas’ attacks on Israel and offering condolences for the American citizens who lost their lives," the department said in a statement.
Blinken was in Tokyo for a Group of Seven meeting.
Japan has taken a cautious approach to the crisis, resisting pressure to fall in line with the pro-Israel stance of its closest ally, the United States, officials and analysts say.