ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: Negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians resume this week in New York. The United States is taking a lead role in the talks, despite the failure of the Camp David summit in July. Developments in the Middle East are being closely watched around the world. One prominent political leader in Japan even wants to act as a mediator. Japan's Channel J, a new contributor to CNN WORLD REPORT, has that story.</s>YOSHIKI FUKUGAWA, CHANNEL J CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On an 11-day trip to the Middle East, Koichi Kato (ph), a prominent politician of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, met with leaders of Israel, Jordan, Syria and Egypt to discuss plans for Japan's involvement in the Middle East peace process. In Ramallah, a bleak area on the West Bank of the Jordan River, Kato met with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, who, among other issues, asked for Japan's support for Palestinian statehood. Upon arrival in Jerusalem, a divided city and the reason for many wars and conflicts, Kato met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Barak warned that a one-sided declaration is not in the interests of the Palestinians. Syria, with a new leader in place, criticized the unilateral declaration of independence. Kato said that Syria should make more efforts toward peace. Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Mohamed Ebeid said he had asked Israel and the Palestinians for concrete proposals for dividing Jerusalem. Kato asked Egypt for their efforts toward a comprehensive peace accord. After their meetings with the leaders of the nations involved, Kato and the other Diet members are more aware of the situations faced by the four countries they visited. They urged these leaders to make the utmost efforts to ensure peace. At the same time, Kato promised that Japan is willing to help, not only with the peace negotiations but also in the situation that follows the achievement of peace. This report was prepared by Yoshiki Fukugawa from Channel J for the CNN WORLD REPORT.
Japan Takes Role in Middle East Peace Process