Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., October 16, 2007 , | | Israel Time: 05:09 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel

FM Tzipi Livni, PA negotiator Saeb Erekat, and Japan's FM Taro Aso share a laugh during an August press conference in Jericho. (Reuters) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 11:30 15/10/2007 Japan requests permission to participate in Annapolis summit By Lior Kodner, Haaretz Correspondent TOKYO - Japan has recently requested Washington and Jerusalem to allow it to participate in the international peace conference in Annapolis, scheduled to take place next month, senior Japanese diplomats told Haaretz last week. Sources from the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said they were inclined to support Japan's request. Israeli-Japanese relations have seen a significant rapprochement in the past few years, after a long cold spell that stemmed from Japan's fear of an Arab oil embargo because of its relations with Israel. Advertisement After the 1991 Madrid conference, relations between the two countries started to warm up. Japan is also one of the most generous donor states for the Palestinian Authority. Recently, former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Israel on the first day of the Second Lebanon War. Before that, Japan's foreign minister attempted to promote a regional industrial project for Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians. Japan was willing to put up $150 million to fund the venture. President Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni have both recently visited Tokyo. Senior officials at the Japanese Foreign Ministry say the government is seeking to show more involvement in the Middle East. One possible incentive, according to these officials, is becoming a veto-wielding member at the United Nations Security Council. "For years, Japan has given money but no one remembered. The lesson is that giving money is not enough, we have to be seen," one senior official told Haaretz. "Stability in the Middle East is important to Japan's stability as well," another official said, acknowledging Japan's reliance on Middle Eastern oil. "During the oil crisis, Tokyo didn't have a choice," the official said. "We had to side with the Arabs because we realized that was the only way to ensure [our receiving] Arab oil. But things have changed since then, and we want to present a balanced approach." Bookmark to del.icio.us Part of Jerusalem? PM Olmert questions whether Arab neighborhoods should be defined as part of the capital. Who is a Jew? Israel's draft constitution states that 'every Jew is entitled to immigrate to Israel.'   1.   JAPON,BETTER STAY AWAY:NOONE IS IMMUNE FROM GOD ALMIGHTY`S WRATH) 06:52  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 15/10/07   2.   Japan and Peace Conference 06:59  |  Garry 15/10/07   3.   This isn`t a peace summit, it`s a whaling summit. 07:11  |  Natallie Durson 15/10/07   4.   Wouldn`t It Be Great If... 07:21  |  Yosemite 15/10/07   5.   Thanks, Japan, but ... 09:05  |  Appreciative 15/10/07   6.   Quaint, laughable and pathetic 11:40  |  Hannah 15/10/07   7.   japan should 15:22  |  meir 15/10/07   8.   #3 19:50  |  B 15/10/07   9.   #7 19:53  |  B 15/10/07   10.   I LOVE HAARETZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 23:57  |  Brant 15/10/07   11.   Japan was bombed into submission and since then has never been 03:36  |  lakshmi 16/10/07

Today Online Israel, Hezbollah in swap said to include info on Ron Arad Responses: 69 Olmert hints Israel willing to part with Arab areas of J'lem Responses: 379 Amira Hass: Israel has turned the Gaza Strip into a zoo Responses: 319 Draft constitution ignores question of who is a Jew Responses: 80 Rabin assassin Yigal Amir asks to attend son's circumcision Responses: 90 Haaretz.com TV: Despite lobby's power, U.S. Jews are losing their bond to Israel Responses: 73 Rosner's Domain * Rice "understand risks to announcing a meeting" (WTR) * Guest: How to stop Hamas from spoiling Annapolis? * McCain is the pro-peace process GOP candidate * Poll: Is Rice's effort brave, pathetic, realistic, dangerous? More Headlines 03:21 Israel, Hezbollah conduct first swap since 2006 war 04:42 ANALYSIS: Israel, Hezbollah need no trust building measures 02:28 Abductees' families cautiously optimistic over Hezbollah deal 02:54 Likud urges Shas, Lieberman to quit gov't over PM's 'intention' 04:26 Cartoon spat prompts Shas to quit Knesset religious lobby 03:56 Balad activist murdered on doorstep of his business in Lod 17:28 IAEA asks for information on any Syrian nuclear plans 23:17 Polish right-wing party accused of running anti-Semitic campaign ad 22:15 Prisons Service refuses to allow Yigal Amir to attend son's circumcision 18:51 Israeli Arab member of Galilee terror group convicted of killing soldier Previous Editions Select Day 15 oct 14 oct 12 oct 11 oct 10 oct 09 oct 08 oct 07 oct 05 oct 04 oct 03 oct 02 oct

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