Asahi wrote that it has learned from several sources connected to the Japanese and Israel governments that, during his recent meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas, Foreign Minister Kono proposed the idea of Prime Minister Abe hosting four-party talks on Middle East peace with the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian authority and with senior USG officials. The paper wrote that it remains to be seen whether such a meeting will be realized. Regional Cooperation Minister Hanegbi told the paper that Netanyahu is prepared to accept the invitation and that the participation of the United States would be indispensable.

Meanwhile, Yomiuri wrote that the GOJ is making arrangements to host a meeting in Tokyo next year involving leaders or senior officials from the United States, Israel, the Palestinian authority, and Jordan. The paper wrote that Kono sounded out Netanyahu and Abbas on the idea during their recent meetings, and that Tokyo is envisaging the participation of King Abdullah of Jordan and Special Adviser Kushner.