KYOTO, April 30 -- An Israeli tourist was asked to sign a declaration denying involvement in war crimes when checking into a guesthouse in Kyoto earlier this month, prompting a formal protest from Israel's ambassador to Japan.

According to a report in The Japan Times, a letter from the Israeli ambassador - obtained by the publication - stated that the tourist received the document from the manager of Wind Villa guesthouse after presenting his passport, and was informed that the requirement applied only to Israeli and Russian nationals.

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Cohen condemned the act as discriminatory and emotionally distressing, urging Kyoto Governor Takatoshi Nishiwaki to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

"This discriminator...