Japan is considering recognizing the state of Palestine

TOKYO – Japan announced that it will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the recognition of the State of Palestine, taking into account “the progress of the Middle East peace process.” Media sources quoted Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko during a press conference in the capital, Tokyo, as saying that her country supports the two-state solution and understands the Palestinians’ goal of establishing an independent state. It also supports Palestine’s efforts to achieve this.

The Japanese minister added: “With regard to recognition of the Palestinian state, we want to continue to address this issue comprehensively, taking into account how to advance the peace process.”

Last Monday, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed AboulGheit, called on Japan to recognize the Palestinian state, considering that this represents “a bias towards the right side of history, and also gives the Palestinians hope that their independent state will see the light one day soon.” This came on the sidelines of Mr. Aboul Gheit’s participation in the fifth session of the Arab-Japanese Economic Forum, held in Tokyo.

APS