Exposed! US Demands Japan: Do Not Acknowledge
According to reports by The Japan Times, Kyodo News and other media outlets on the 13th, Japanese diplomatic sources stated on the 12th that the United States has requested Japan refrain from recognising Palestine as a state during the United Nations General Assembly later this month. Japanese media reported that countries including France and Britain plan to recognise the State of Palestine, aiming to pressure Israel into ending its blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The sources indicated that the US has conveyed its opposition to recognising Palestine through multiple diplomatic channels, arguing that such recognition would exacerbate the situation and urging Tokyo to align with Washington. Japanese media noted that discussions within the outgoing government led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba regarding recognition of Palestine are in their final stages. Ishiba announced his resignation on 7 September.
US government sources indicated that Japanese recognition of Palestine would significantly impact US-Japan relations. Concurrently, Japanese government sources revealed that French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian urged Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to recognise Palestine during a telephone conversation on the 11th. Sources added that the UK had conveyed similar expectations to the Japanese government.
On the 11th, the cross-party ‘Humanitarian Diplomacy Parliamentary League’ submitted a petition bearing 206 signatures to Mr Iwaya, urging the Japanese government to recognise Palestine.
On 12 September local time, the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution approving the New York Declaration for a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question and the implementation of the two-state solution. The resolution passed with 142 votes in favour, 10 against and 12 abstentions. The United States and Israel were among those opposing the resolution.
