Kishida to Attend COP28... Also Coordinating Meeting with Israeli President

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will attend the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28). The conference will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), starting on the 30th (local time).

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Japanese government spokesperson and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated in a press conference on the afternoon of the 29th that Prime Minister Kishida will announce Japan's efforts toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at this conference.

Kyodo News reported that, taking advantage of his attendance at COP28, Prime Minister Kishida is also coordinating a possible meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog as early as the 1st of next month.

Kishida plans to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip, where the humanitarian crisis has worsened due to the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas, and request a reduction in tensions, the news agency added.

Kyodo News forecasted, "This would be the first time Prime Minister Kishida holds talks with top Israeli officials since Hamas's airstrike on Israel on October 7," adding, "While there is an intention to appeal Japan's involvement in the Gaza Strip situation, it is uncertain whether the talks will lead to any improvement."