Japanese Lawmakers Press Government for Palestinian State Recognition

(MENAFN) A coalition of Japanese lawmakers pressed the government on Thursday to officially recognize Palestinian statehood, according to local reports.

A cross-party group, including members from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, submitted a petition signed by 206 lawmakers to Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, urging swift recognition of Palestine, a news agency reported.

"Israel has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire, and child hunger cannot be ignored," said Tomoko Abe of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, speaking alongside two other opposition members when they met with the foreign minister.

Acknowledging the petition's weight, Iwaya responded, "I take this seriously since this many signatures were collected," and confirmed that the ministry would give the matter further consideration.

The nonpartisan group was once led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

This appeal comes just days before several nations—including France, the UK, and Canada—plan to recognize Palestine as an independent state during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. Australia has also announced its intention to recognize Palestinian statehood, while Japan has yet to make a definitive decision.

Separately on Thursday, Iwaya held a phone conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. A statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry noted: "Japan and France will work closely together on regional situations, including the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, and concurred to continue to closely cooperate on international challenges both bilaterally and among the G7."

Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues a fierce assault on Gaza, with more than 64,600 Palestinians killed since October 2023, leaving the region devastated and facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel is also confronting a genocide case at the International Court of Justice linked to its military operations in the enclave.

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