Japan recalls ambassador to Syria, slams crackdown

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto on Friday urged the Syrian government to immediately cease the use of force against civilians, saying Tokyo will recall its ambassador to Syria for a consultation on the situation in the country. "It is highly regrettable that despite requests by Japan and many other members of the international community, the wide-scale use of force by Syrian security authorities has continued to cause many deaths and injuries among the general populace," Matsumoto said in a statement. "Japan believes Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has already lost the trust of the international community, can no longer legitimately govern the country and should step aside," Matsumoto said in his statement relayed by the Japanese Kyodo News Agency. "We hold a great interest in the agreement President Al-Assad made with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Aug. 17 to halt military and police operations, carry out reforms of the constitution and other reforms, and accept a UN mission to evaluate humanitarian conditions in the country," he added.