Japan Press Weekly

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2015 April 22 - 28 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Japan should recognize the State of Palestine: JCP Kokuta

Japanese Communist Party parliamentarian Kokuta Keiji urged the government on April 17 to recognize Palestine as a state in line with the international trend.

At the Lower House’s Foreign Affairs Committee session, Kokuta referred to the fact that 135 nations already recognize the State of Palestine and that the parliaments of Britain and France recently adopted resolutions calling on their own governments to do so. He also mentioned the possibility that even the United States may change its stance opposing recognition.

The JCP lawmaker cited the fact that Japan voted for a UN resolution to recognize Palestine as an observer in November 2012. “Why won’t the Japanese government go on to recognize it as a state?” he asked.

Foreign Minister Kishida Fumio responded that he will “comprehensively examine” whether recognition will contribute to promoting the peace process in the Middle East.

Noting that many Arab countries are expecting Japan’s recognition of Palestine, Kokuta insisted that it will undoubtedly help move the peace process forward in the region.


Past related articles:
> Shii meets with five Arab ambassadors [March 13, 2015]
> Japanese citizens rally to demand halt to Israeli offensive [July 19, 2014]