Japan has assumed the UN Security Council's rotating presidency for March amid a widening rift between major powers over the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Japan's Ambassador to the UN, Yamazaki Kazuyuki, spoke at a news conference in New York on Friday.

Yamazaki said Japan looks forward to working closely with other member countries for the Security Council to fulfill its mandate to maintain international peace and security.

Japan will host a ministerial-level meeting on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation at United Nations headquarters in New York on March 18.

In response to a question from a reporter on the situation in Gaza, Yamazaki said Israel has the right to protect its people. But he went on to say, "Any parties, any nations in the international community, especially as a member of the United Nations, we need to abide by international law, especially including the international humanitarian law."

He also said the council will discuss a new resolution the United States is preparing for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages.

Discussions are expected to continue heating up this month as tensions increase in Gaza and Russia's invasion of Ukraine drags on. As the rotating chair, Japan faces the difficult task of steering the Security Council, which some say is not functioning as it should.