Japan holds back recognition of Palestinian state to safeguard US ties: Report

Japan has decided not to recognise a Palestinian state at this stage, prioritising its strategic relationship with the United States and seeking to avoid tensions with Israel, the Asahi Shimbun reported on Wednesday, citing government sources.

The decision comes as momentum builds among Western allies, including Britain, France, Canada, and Australia, who recently announced plans to recognise Palestinian statehood during the ongoing UN General Assembly session. The coordinated effort has intensified diplomatic pressure on Israel, which launched a long-threatened ground assault on Gaza City on Tuesday.

Despite growing international support for the Palestinian cause, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to skip a September 22 meeting in New York focused on the two-state solution, the report said.

Washington urges caution

According to the Kyodo News Agency, Washington has urged Tokyo through multiple diplomatic channels not to take any steps toward recognition at this stage. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has pressed his Japanese counterpart to advance recognition efforts, underscoring the competing pressures Tokyo faces.

Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya stated on Tuesday that Japan is conducting a "comprehensive assessment, including appropriate timing and modalities, of the issue of recognising Palestinian statehood."

Japan backs UN declaration

While withholding full recognition, Japan aligned with much of the international community at a UN meeting last week. It was among 142 countries that voted in favour of a declaration calling for “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution. India also supported the resolution, highlighting broad global consensus on advancing Palestinian statehood despite geopolitical divides.