Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda hosted an Iftar with the Islamic Diplomatic Corps in Japan at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address, "I am delighted to host this Iftar inviting Mr. Sid Ali Ketrandji, Ambassador of Algeria to Japan, and the Islamic Diplomatic Corps, and the guests today.
One of the reasons that Islam has been accepted by different ethnic groups and countries is the spirit of tolerance in diversity. In order to realize peace and the stability of the world, improved mutual understanding among different civilizations and the spirit of tolerance in diversity are becoming more important than ever.
Today's Iftar is a precious occasion in which we are able to come into contact with part of the Islamic tradition in Japan, and I expect this occasion will be of some help to deepen the mutual understanding between Japan and the Islamic world, which has already been richly developed."