ISTANBUL

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Friday said that Tokyo intends to "play a proactive role" in the Middle East, ahead of his visit to the region, including a stop in the occupied West Bank.

Motegi is scheduled to visit Israel, Palestine, Qatar, the Philippines and India on a nine-day trip, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

"I plan to visit these regions as the existing international order is shaken violently, in order to uphold and strengthen a rule-based free and open international order. Our cooperation with like-minded countries and furthermore bolstering our relationship with the so-called global south states have never been as important," Motegi told a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.

The Middle East region is "crucial to the stability of the international community," he added.

In Israel, Motegi will meet his counterpart Gideon Sa'ar and visit the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center.

Motegi and Sa'ar will discuss the situation in the Middle East and the international efforts toward the reconstruction of Gaza, the statement said.

In the West Bank, Motegi will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to discuss "realization" of a two-state solution.

Last month, Japan slammed Israel over new settlements in the occupied West Bank, stressing that settlement activities "are in violation of international law and undermine" the viability of a two-state solution.

It has also sanctioned four settlers involved in the violence.

"In order to improve the situation surrounding Palestine and Israel, there must be a steady implementation of the comprehensive plan and Japan intends to play a proactive role in order to ease the tension and build a peace in this region," Motegi said during the briefing.

"To eliminate the longstanding mutual distrust... both Israel and Palestine must take concrete forward-looking actions... that is important," he said.

Motegi said the major purpose of his visit is "to offer our frank view to both sides on the concrete measures and we wish to explain Japan's position and view."

In Qatar, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, who is also foreign minister of the Gulf nation, will receive Motegi. They will hold a strategic dialogue to strengthen bilateral ties.

Later, Motegi will also pay visit to India as well as the Philippines for official talks.