Japan will reportedly not recognize 'Palestinian state' due to close US ties

The Japanese government does not plan to recognize a “Palestinian state” at this time, the Japanese news outlet Asahi reported Wednesday, citing unnamed government sources. As a result, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is unlikely to attend the Sept. 22 meeting at the United Nations in New York on the two-state solution and the recognition of “Palestine” as a state. Tokyo’s stance is believed to be influenced by its close relationship with the United States.

The Trump administration backs Israel’s position that a diplomatic recognition now would constitute a reward for Hamas terrorism and the Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping of 251 people from southern Israel. 

The United States has urged Japan against a diplomatic recognition while France has reportedly called on Tokyo to do the opposite. While Japan currently appears to be siding with the U.S. and Israeli positions, the Japanese spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi articulated Tokyo’s support for a future implementation of the two-state solution. 

"Japan has consistently supported a two-state solution, understanding the Palestinian desire to establish an independent state, and supported their efforts toward that end," Hayashi said during a press conference on Wednesday.

"We are deeply concerned that the ongoing Israeli military actions could undermine the premise of a two-state solution," the Japanese official added.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya recently argued that the timing of the country’s recognition of a “Palestinian statehood” is linked to future developments in the Middle East. Unlike several Western nations that embrace unconditional recognition, Japan’s top diplomat said that such recognition would depend on the reformation of the Palestinian Authority, which is corrupt, weak, and has not controlled the Gaza Strip since Hamas ousted it in 2007. Furthermore, Tokyo views the continued presence of Hamas and other jihadist groups as an obstacle to peace in the region.

Japan’s high-tech economy is heavily dependent on oil imports from the Middle East, prompting Tokyo to maintain strong relations with the Muslim Arab world. At the same time, Japan has shown growing interest in high-tech trade with Israel.

It was reported last month that Japan considers buying the Israeli Heron 2 military drone. China’s increasingly aggressive military posture in eastern Asia has reportedly prompted countries like Japan to boost their respective defenses. 

Meanwhile, Luxembourg intends to join a growing number of Western nations that unilaterally recognize the “Palestinian state,” the news outlet Politico reported on Monday. 

Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel reportedly informed a national parliamentary commission that such recognition will likely take place together with its larger neighbor France but also the United Kingdom and Belgium at the UN. 

Last year, Spain, Norway and Ireland unilaterally recognized a “Palestinian state” despite strong criticism from Israel. In July, the French President Emmaneul Macron announced that Paris intends to become the first leading Western nation to formally recognize the “State of Palestine.” The UK, Canada, Australia and Belgium quickly followed suit with pledges that they would also recognize a “Palestinian state” at the UN later this month. 

The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded by stressing that Washington “strongly rejects” France’s diplomatic recognition plan. 

“This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,” Rubio wrote in a post on 𝕏.