Japan's Diplomatic Balancing Act: Palestinian State Recognition Dilemma

Japan is maintaining its stance on not recognizing a Palestinian state at present, as reported by the Asahi newspaper, citing anonymous government sources. This move is likely driven by a desire to preserve ties with the United States and prevent possible Israeli backlash.

While countries like Britain, France, Canada, and Australia plan to advocate for Palestinian recognition at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, Japan opts for caution. The Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, will forego attendance at a key U.N. meeting on September 22 in New York, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution, according to Asahi.

The United States has exerted pressure on Japan through diplomatic dialogues to resist recognizing Palestine as an independent state, whereas France has lobbied for acknowledgment, as reported by Kyodo news agency. Despite voting in favor of a UN declaration towards a two-state solution, Japan remains noncommittal, citing a comprehensive assessment process for future decisions, as stated by Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.

(With inputs from agencies.)