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On May 2, 2018 (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park (JAIP) in Palestine (Jericho).
 
After that, the Prime Minister visited the State of Israel, and held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.
 
In the afternoon, Prime Minister Abe visited Palestine (Bethlehem), where he took a tour of the Church of the Nativity.
 
After visiting JAIP, the Prime Minister said the following,
 
“I am truly pleased to have realized my wish of visiting the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park (JAIP). This park can be described as Japan’s unique contribution to the Middle East Peace Process and a flagship project of Japan.
 
This area was a complete barren land about 10 years ago when the first Abe administration approved this project. Now, it has been transformed to a place where 12 Palestinian companies operate, generating employment for 200 people. Through Phase 2 of the project, this number is expected to increase to 300 or 400. I was told that a Japanese company will be opening a café here soon, and I hope that it will become a place where the locals can relax and interact. 
 
The JAIP produces processed agricultural products and other items in this Palestinian land, creates employment, and generates profits. It also fosters mutual trust among the respective stakeholders who are vital to the Middle East Peace Process.
 
It could be said that the JAIP’s success is the result of the cooperation of Jordan, Palestine, Israel, and Japan. Going forward, the JAIP will contribute to Palestine’s self-reliance in economic development, and to building mutual trust among the respective stakeholders.  
 
The stability of the Middle East is essential to Japan. Most of Japan’s energy comes from the Middle East. Along with ensuring stable supplies of petroleum gas, the objective of this project is for Japan to make a unique contribution to peace and stability in the region.
 
Yesterday, I held a meeting with President Abbas of Palestine, and after this, I am scheduled to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. Through these talks, Japan will make some valuable contributions to the Middle East Peace Process. Furthermore, with regard to the JAIP, a ministerial level meeting was also held among the four countries just a while ago. Japan will harness the JAIP to contribute to the achievement of peace in the Middle East. Thus far, it has been often said that energy was the only connection between the Middle East and Japan. Nowadays, we have a multilayered relationship that involves cooperation in very diverse areas, such as politics, diplomacy, education, and agriculture, as well as in the international arena. In this context, Japan will deepen its relationship with the Middle East further and contribute actively to the region.”