Palestinian president to visit Japan this week

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is due to visit Japan this week as part of a foreign tour of several countries, Political Adviser to the Palestinian President Nemer Hammad said Saturday. Prior to his travel, President Abbas will hold consultations with the Palestinian factions on the appointment of some new ministers, the names of whom were not discussed yet, Hammad said in remarks to the Palestinian news agency (Ma'an). He ruled out increasing the number of ministries in the new amendment, saying that what is proposed now is to reduce the number of ministries. During his stay in Japan, President Abbas is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and other senior Japanese officials, and exchange views on a broad range of issues, such as the current situation regarding peace in the Middle East, and Japan's support for the Palestinians. It will be the President's third visit to Japan since the assumption of office as President through which, Japan’s efforts to promote peace in the Middle East will be conveyed to President Abbas, and the friendly relation between Japan and the Palestinians is expected to be further enhanced, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. President Abbas is also scheduled to visit Natori City in Miyagi Prefecture, including the areas damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake.