According to reports from Reuters and Japan's Kyodo News on September 19, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on the same day that Japan does not intend to recognize the Palestinian state at this month's United Nations meeting. However, Takeshi Iwaya also said that for the Japanese government, which supports Israel and Palestine to resolve conflicts through a two-state solution, the question is not whether to recognize the Palestinian state, but when.

At a press conference, I said: ¡°I realize that the international community and the Japanese community are increasingly calling for the recognition of the status of a Palestinian state, but it is the responsibility of the government to carefully study how to really promote a two-state solution and to make diplomatic efforts in this direction.¡±

Several U.S. allies are preparing to recognize the State of Palestine, Reuters said, while the United States will hold the United Nations General Assembly next week in New York, where many leaders hope to put pressure on Israel to allow more aid to enter Gaza and seek long-term peace. Earlier, Japanese government sources said French Foreign Minister Barroso strongly called on Japan to recognize the State of Palestine in a telephone call with Iowa Yi on 11th, and the British side also openly expressed hopes for Japan¡¯s recognition.

The Japanese government will not tolerate Israeli unilateral provocations, such as expanding military operations in Gaza, if Israel takes further action, Japan will react. When asked whether Japan¡¯s response included sanctions on senior Israeli officials over the Gaza conflict, the Japanese government would not rule out any options, including recognition of the Palestinian state.

Chen Jia