Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko has told her Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen that she unequivocally condemns what she called terror attacks by Hamas.

The ministers met in Israel's largest commercial city of Tel Aviv on Friday.

Kamikawa told Cohen at the outset of the meeting that she was visiting to convey Japan's solidarity with the people of Israel.

She said attacks and the abduction of civilians, including babies, children, women and the elderly, can never be tolerated.

The minister expressed her sorrow for the victims, and said she sincerely hopes that the people abducted by Hamas will be released as soon as possible.

Cohen said October 7 was the worst day for Jews since the Holocaust. He expressed gratitude for Japan's support and solidarity with Israel.

Details of the talks are yet to be known, but the ministers are believed to have shared the view that Israel has the right to protect itself and its people in accordance with international law.

Kamikawa is believed to have noted the need for a humanitarian pause in fighting and compliance with international humanitarian law, in light of the growing number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.

She is also likely to have reiterated Japan's support of a two-state solution whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security.

Kamikawa is scheduled to head to the West Bank city of Ramallah and meet with Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki.