Japan Press Weekly

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2017 April 5 - 11 [ECONOMY]

Experts group petitions gov’t to have Japanese investors boycott businesses in Israeli settlements

A group of Japanese experts on Middle East affairs on April 5 submitted to the Diet a petition demanding measures to ensure that the Japanese government and companies refrain from engaging with businesses in Israeli settlements. The petitioning came as a response to the signing of the Japan-Israel investment agreement in February.

The petition was filed with the chairs of the Upper and Lower Houses of the Diet by the 70-member group consisting of researchers, journalists, and NGO staff. The document points out that Israel is expanding settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, criticizing this move for exploiting natural resources there and hampering local people’s economic activities.

The petition argues that it is essential to make it clear that the signed bilateral agreement does not cover East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. It also states that Japanese investors should be fully informed about the legal and ethical risks pertaining to investing in businesses in Israeli settlements.

Representatives of the citizens group held a press conference after the submission and pointed out that the Japan-Israel investment agreement has various problems. Sugihara Koji, who heads the NGO Network Against Japan Arms Trade, said that the conclusion of the investment agreement is part of the Abe government move to strengthen military cooperation with Israel.


Past related articles:
> Israel, stop the bombing and hold talks with Palestine [July 16, 2014]
> Cessation of Israel’s settlement policy is the starting point for negotiations [October 4, 2011]