Japan has decided not to recognise a Palestinian state at this time, prioritising its strategic alliance with the U.S. and preserving ties with Israel, according to sources cited by Asahi Shimbun.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will skip a key UN General Assembly side meeting on Palestinian statehood, signalling Japan’s reluctance to diverge from U.S. policy while still supporting a two-state solution in principle.
While Japan has backed pro-Palestine resolutions at the UN and contributed over $2.3 billion in aid, it maintains a neutral diplomatic posture—avoiding formal recognition to protect its broader geopolitical interests.
Japan has decided against recognizing a Palestinian state in the immediate term, primarily to preserve its close ties with the United States and prevent further straining relations with Israel. This development, reported by Japan's leading daily Asahi Shimbun, comes amid mounting global pressure on Israel over its ongoing military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, as several Western nations prepare to formally acknowledge Palestinian statehood at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
According to unidentified government sources cited by Asahi, Tokyo's decision is driven by strategic considerations. Japan, a key U.S. ally in the Asia-Pacific region, is wary of diverging from Washington's longstanding policy of withholding recognition until a comprehensive peace agreement is reached between Israel and the Palestinians. The report highlights concerns that such a step could harden Israel's stance, potentially complicating Japan's efforts to mediate or support humanitarian initiatives in the Middle East.
"Japan will not recognise a Palestinian state for now, probably to maintain relations with the United States and to avoid a hardening of Israel's attitude," the Asahi article stated, emphasizing the geopolitical tightrope Tokyo is navigating. Adding to the signal of restraint, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is scheduled to skip a key September 22 meeting in New York focused on advancing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. This gathering, set to occur on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, represents a pivotal moment for international efforts toward Palestinian statehood. Ishiba's absence is seen as a tacit indication of Japan's current position, though officials have stressed that the door remains open for future reconsideration.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya addressed the issue on Tuesday, stating that Japan is conducting a "comprehensive assessment, including appropriate timing and modalities, of the issue of recognising Palestinian statehood." This comes as Japan grapples with broader U.S. policy shifts under President Donald Trump, including controversial proposals like a potential U.S. takeover of Gaza, which Tokyo has distanced itself from while reaffirming its commitment to a two-state solution.- do the same
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