Tokyo: The increase in violence in Israel and Palestine was denounced by the foreign ministry of Japan on Monday, and it urged all parties "to restrain themselves."

The government of Japan strongly condemns all forms of violence over the past week and expresses its serious concern over the rising tensions on the ground, according to a statement from the ministry that addressed the violence.

It is even more crucial to respect the sanctity of the holy place now that both Muslims and Jews are in the season of holy days.

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Japan is "convinced that the problems people in the Middle East face can never be resolved by violence, but only through negotiations and efforts to build mutual trust among the parties to the conflict," the statement continued. Japan also supports a two-state solution for Middle East peace.

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In order to prevent a further escalation of the situation, the statement said: "Japan urges all parties concerned to exercise the greatest restraint and abstain from violence and provocative actions."

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