PM Netanyahu to pay official visit to Japan next month

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Japan from May 11 to 15, for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Middle East affairs, the Foreign Ministry announced in Tokyo. Accompanied by his wife Sara, he will also have an audience with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on May 13 and visit Kyoto on May 14. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference that it would be "very significant to exchange views on ways to stabilize the Middle East with Mr. Netanyahu, who is one of the most important persons in efforts to bring about peace" in the region.