In response to local criticism, the explanation was “appropriate.”
“Watch with concern” about the situation in Gaza
When the Japanese government was criticized for demanding 30,000 yen (about 272,000 won) after evacuating its citizens from Israel, where conflict with the Palestinian armed faction Hamas is intensifying, the government expressed its position that it was appropriate.
According to local private TBS and Jiji News Agency on the 16th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a regular press conference this morning, “There was a difference in treatment between Korea and Israel regarding evacuation costs, and the (Japanese) government’s response was appropriate.” I was asked, “What do you think?”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, “We think it is appropriate.”
He said that there are currently a small number of Japanese people staying in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, and that he is in contact with everyone. He explained that there were no reports of damage.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno emphasized, “We will do our best to ensure the safety of our citizens by cooperating with relevant countries and agencies.”
Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, where there is a sense of crisis over the outbreak of a ground war, “Tension is increasing by the minute. It cannot be predicted at all. “We will be watching with serious concern,” he said.
The Japanese government charter plane departed from Tel Aviv, Israel on the night of the 14th Korean time and arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the early morning of the 15th.
The Japanese government demanded that these eight people pay 30,000 yen in expenses. NHK reported that they were asked to secure their own means of transportation from Dubai to destinations such as Japan.
Meanwhile, the KC-330 (Cygnus) military transport aircraft dispatched by the Korean government to Israel arrived at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on the night of the 14th.
In addition to 163 Korean citizens, 51 Japanese and 6 Singaporeans were on board the plane. The government helped them escape Israel on humanitarian grounds.
At this time, Japanese people on board the Korean transport plane were evacuated for free, but criticism was raised in some quarters as Japanese people on the Japanese charter plane were asked to pay 30,000 yen.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed her gratitude in a phone call with Foreign Minister Park Jin on the morning of the 15th, saying, “I am honestly grateful from the bottom of my heart for the support I received from the Korean government.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.