While in Japan Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu take a few moments to pose with Japanese schoolchildren.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in Japan for a week of bi-lateral talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials, told Japanese lawmakers that both Israel and Japan face rogue nations with dangerous nuclear programs.

“There is a common bond between us,” Netanyahu told members of the Israel Japan Parliamentary Friendship League.

“We’re both democratic, progressive, technological societies.”

“You face North Korea, which is a rogue regime with nuclear weapons.  We face the possibility of Iran, which is a rogue regime that wants to have nuclear weapons.  They’re cooperating between them, and we should cooperate between us.” (JPost)

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

At a meeting Tuesday with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, Netanyahu said, “We are interested in peace and stability throughout the world.  We see a danger and a challenge posed by a rogue state [Iran] arming itself with nuclear weapons.”

“I think yesterday’s UN report is another example of how Iran continues to deceive the world and advance its nuclear program.  Clearly the Ayatollahs cannot be trusted and if the international community wants to avoid the specter of nuclear terrorism, they must assure that Iran, the foremost sponsor of terrorism on the planet, not have the capability to develop nuclear weapons.  This is our number one concern but I think it should be shared by everyone who is concerned by the proliferation of nuclear terrorism and nuclear weapons,” he said.

Japanese Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Prime Minister also discussed the possibility of a technological and economic partnership with Japan.

In a meeting with the corporate leadership of Panasonic, Netanyahu pointed out that Japan’s competitors have a strong presence in Israel.

“We are turning east, and we want you also to turn in the direction of Israel,” he said.

Netanyahu also noted the growing need for cybersecurity, an area in which Israel excels.

“There is one area that transcends everything and affects everything, and this is the question of cybersecurity,” he said during that meeting with the Panasonic executives.  “This is something Israel is developing by leaps and bounds on a global scale, and we are open to participation not only with governments but also with companies.

“All the systems that I saw here are computerized systems; they’re all vulnerable,” he emphasized.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Jewish and Japanese nations have agreed to a comprehensive exchange of knowledge and technology, committing to cooperate to assure international security.

Netanyahu and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed the possibility of growing economic partnerships between the two national innovation leaders.

“I am determined, together with Prime Minister Netanyahu, to make further efforts to strengthen Japan-Israel relations, so that the potentials are fully materialized,” Abe told The Japan Times.

Netanyahu agreed, saying both countries have the chance to become “more prosperous and even more advanced.”

“Japan was until recently the last developed country without a strong presence in Israel, and that is changing,” he said.

With the conclusive Japan-Israel Joint Statement on Building a New Comprehensive Partnership outlining all cooperation areas, Netanyahu’s visit promoted alliances between national firms in advanced science, technology and innovation.  (PanOrient News)

“The growth of the Israeli economy depends, first and foremost, on expanding our marketing activity abroad and creating new markets….  In Japan last week, there was a clear decision to deepen ties and develop economic, technological, scientific and other links between us and Japan.”  Netanyahu told Israel’s Cabinet this Sunday.

“From the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty.  Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea.”  (Isaiah 24:14–15)