According to the Asahi newspaper, Japan will not recognize a Palestinian state for now, a decision seen as aiming to maintain ties with the U.S. and avoid further hardening of Israel’s stance. While countries like France, Canada, Australia, and the UK have announced they will recognize Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly, Japan is still conducting a “comprehensive assessment” regarding timing and approach. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed deep concern that Israel’s ground assault on Gaza could undermine the foundations of a two-state solution and urged Israel to take steps to end the humanitarian crisis. Japan recently joined 142 nations at the UN in supporting a declaration for “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution. However, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to skip the September 22 meeting on Palestine during the UN gathering in New York.
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