September 20, 2025 | 01:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The situation in Gaza will be the main topic at the UN General Assembly in New York next week. However, Japan will forgo recognizing Palestine as a state during the high-level meeting.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya stated on Friday that Japan does not plan to recognize Palestine at the UN meeting this month, as reported by CNA.
However, he also mentioned that for Tokyo, which supports a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, the issue is not whether to recognize Palestine, but when to do so.
"I'm aware voices calling for the recognition as a state are getting louder in the international community as well as in Japan," Iwaya told a press conference.
"But the government has a responsibility to look hard into what will really lead to a two-state solution and to make diplomatic efforts towards that direction."
Takeshi stated that he held separate telephone discussions on Friday with his counterparts from Israel and Palestine. He said he had conveyed to them that Japan will not recognize Palestine for the time being.
Several US allies are preparing to recognize Palestine as world leaders gather at the UN General Assembly in New York next week in hopes of pressuring Israel to allow more aid to Gaza and seek a long-term peace.
France recently announced plans to recognize Palestine. UK and Canada followed suit, with certain conditions.
Iwaya said he will attend the conference in New York on Monday to pursue a two-state solution. He also said he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the phone, emphasizing the need to press Israel to immediately stop its unilateral actions.
Iwaya said Japan does not condone Israel's unilateral actions, such as the expansion of its military operations in Gaza, and that Japan will respond if Israel takes further steps that would obstruct the two-state solution.
When asked if Japan's response would include sanctions against Israeli ministers, Iwaya said the government would not rule out any options, including recognizing Palestine, in considering potential measures.
Israel and US Welcome Japan's Decision
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed gratitude to Japan for its decision not to recognize Palestine at the upcoming UN session as reported by NHK.
Saar's office stated that he expressed thanks for Japan's "responsible decision."
US officials also welcomed Japan's move not to recognize Palestine at this time
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston spoke to NHK after Japan's foreign minister made the announcement.
She stated that recognizing Palestine at this stage is "counterproductive" and "will undermine negotiations for peace."
Houston added, "We do not want to do anything or see countries take any actions that would embolden Hamas, as opposed to disarm them."
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