Japanese PM in Israel sees great potential for economic ties

“We are now seeing steady progress in developing our bilateral relationship in a comprehensive manner,” said Abe Shinzo, the first Japanese prime minister to visit Israel in nine years. He added that the economy has the greatest potential for advancing these relations and on that “we are working closely.”

Binyamin Netanyahu said this week that as waves of Islamization, anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism wash over Europe, Israel’s traditional market, it is important to diversify its trade relations. "I emphasize eastern markets,” he said and Abe’s visit is “a historic opportunity.”

While trade with Japan is expanding fast, its volume is still well below Israel’s ties with China and South Korea.
This month, Israel decided to open a trade office in Osaka as well as Tokyo.