Photo/Illutration Takeshi Okubo, former ambassador for Palestinian Affairs, in Tokyo on Sept. 10 (Chihiro Ara)

The Foreign Ministry, looking ahead to the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip, appointed a former diplomat to the region as the newly established ambassador for Gaza reconstruction this month.

Takeshi Okubo, former ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and representative of Japan to Palestine, has been selected for the post. 

Okubo is scheduled to attend an upcoming international conference on Gaza’s reconstruction, and the Japanese government is accelerating its review of support measures, according to multiple sources within the ministry.

Okubo served as ambassador for Palestinian Affairs from 2015 and as ambassador to Lebanon from 2019, before retiring from the ministry in 2022.

This month, he assumed the role of special adviser to the Foreign Ministry and was also appointed as ambassador for Gaza reconstruction.

Okubo is expected to participate in the international conferences on the post-war rebuilding of Gaza, which Egypt is expected to host later this month.

JAPAN’S SUPPORT PLANS

Even after the cease-fire agreement, the situation in Gaza remains unstable, and the Japanese government has begun concrete deliberations on reconstruction measures.

On Nov. 13, Japan and Palestine co-hosted a working-level meeting of the Conference for Cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD).

At a ministerial meeting in July, Japan and Southeast Asian nations announced an action plan to support Palestine through initiatives such as human resource development.

The latest meeting focused on discussions to implement these plans.

Since fighting in Gaza began in October 2023, the Japanese government has provided approximately $240 million (about 37 billion yen) in aid to Palestine.

Going forward, Japan plans to compile a comprehensive support package, including debris removal in Gaza, hospital reconstruction and human resource development.

Meanwhile, the United States has presented a draft resolution to several U.N. Security Council member states regarding the deployment of an “international stabilization force” to oversee the cease-fire and maintain security in Gaza.

While the Japanese government does not envision sending Self-Defense Forces, a senior Foreign Ministry official said, “We will closely monitor developments on the Security Council resolution and consider ways to be involved.”

Related News