Press Conferences

Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi: First, I would like to explain Japan’s position on recognizing Palestinian statehood during the UN General Assembly in September.

I will be visiting New York next week, from September 22 to September 27, to attend the UN General Assembly.

Amid an increasingly severe international situation, it has become a pressing issue to restore confidence in multilateralism, strengthen coordination with like-minded countries, and rebuild responsible global governance.

Of particular note is the issue of Israel and Palestine. In order to demonstrate Japan’s commitment to a two-state solution, I will be attending the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which will be held on September 22.

In the international community, momentum toward recognizing Palestinian statehood has been growing. In response, the Government has conducted extensive deliberations on how Japan should address this matter, from the perspective of what would contribute to substantive progress in realizing a two-state solution, which Japan has consistently supported. As a result of these deliberations, the Government of Japan has decided that it will forgo recognizing Palestinian statehood during the upcoming UN General Assembly.

However, for Japan, which supports a two-state solution, the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood is not a matter of “whether or not” but “when” to recognize it. With this understanding, we will continue to assess comprehensively the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood with greater concern while closely following the future developments.

The situation in Palestine that the international community is now facing could undermine the very foundation of a two-state solution. I believe what is demanded of the international community in practical terms is to take concrete actions, such as fundamentally improving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including famine, realizing the immediate cessation of Israel’s unilateral actions, including moves to annex the West Bank, and providing support to strengthen the functions of the Palestinian Authority (PA) as an effective governing body.

What is most important is to ensure that Palestine exists in a sustainable way living side by side with Israel. Japan will continue to play a realistic and proactive role to move even a step closer to the goal of a two-state solution. To this end, the Palestinian side also needs to build a robust governance system. In addition, as was confirmed in the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on September 12, Hamas must immediately release hostages, end its rule in Gaza, and hand over its weapons to the PA.

Japan intends to make diplomatic efforts and take measures that will have a positive impact, even if only slightly, in a tangible way to realize a two-state solution and to improve the humanitarian situation in a substantive way. From this standpoint, Japan will further and expeditiously carry out initiatives such as humanitarian assistance, development of human resources who will shoulder the future of Gaza and the West Bank, including training programs to enhance the capabilities of public officials, support for their capacity-building, and other efforts involving further support to Palestine. Japan will further advance concrete efforts to support Palestine’s state-building efforts.

Meanwhile, Israel’s current actions are driving Palestine into an unprecedented predicament. Japan absolutely cannot accept Israel’s unilateral actions, such as expanding military operations, including the ground invasion of Gaza City, restricting humanitarian assistance, and moves to annex the West Bank. Japan will even more strongly urge Israel to take measures to end the humanitarian crisis and immediately cease its unilateral actions.

Moreover, with a view to improving the situation, Japan will continue to urge the U.S., which has significant influence on this matter, to further strengthen its calls on Israel to cease its unilateral actions.

Should Israel take further actions that would shut down the path toward the realization of the two-state solution, Japan will take new measurers in response.

Today, I conveyed Japan’s position, which I just outlined, to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Aghabekian of Palestine by phone. I also held a telephone meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sa’ar of Israel. Additionally, I held a telephone meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, during which I reiterated the need to strongly urge Israel to immediately cease its unilateral actions.

Japan will continue to conduct diplomatic efforts that it considers most appropriate and effective for realizing the two-state solution and ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East, while also considering Japan’s national interests in the international community.

That concludes my opening remarks.

Nikkei Shimbun, BABA: In your opening remarks, you explained about your attendance at the conference as well as Japan’s position. I would like to ask about the background behind this decision. To what extent did the Government consider the specific linkages between Japan’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution, or the impact on Japan’s relations with other countries, including the U.S. and Israel, and the domestic discussions on the Palestine issue in Japan?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I think I answered this earlier in my opening remarks. I believe that we are at a point where we must seriously consider what would actually, realistically, and effectively lead to a two-state solution, which Japan has consistently supported. We arrived at the conclusion I explained after making a comprehensive judgement on this matter.

We are aware that the calls for recognizing Palestinian statehood are growing louder, both internationally and domestically. Still, I believe that the Government of Japan has a responsibility to seriously consider what would truly lead to the two-state solution and to carry out diplomatic efforts toward that end.

Therefore, what is most demanded of Japan is to consider various perspectives and, as I did today, urge Israel, Palestine, and the U.S. to first achieve a ceasefire, realize the release of hostages as soon as possible, and lay down a path to peace. Please understand it is necessary that Japan seriously examine what actions would bring about these outcomes.

Mainichi Shimbun, TADOKORO: Toward the end of your opening remarks, you mentioned that Japan will take new actions should Israel take obstructive steps. Does “new actions,” mean recognizing Palestinian statehood? Additionally, please tell us what will be the preconditions for Japan to recognize Palestinian statehood in the future. Lastly, if Japan has an opportunity to state at the conference on September 22, can you tell us whether you will be making remarks similar to today’s opening remarks, including the decision that Japan will not recognize Palestinian statehood at this time?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Regarding the “new actions” you mentioned, I would like to refrain from speculating on specific actions. Japan will consider all options, without ruling any out, including recognizing Palestinian statehood.

What was your second question again?

Mainichi Shimbun, TADOKORO: What will be the preconditions for recognizing statehood in the future?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Regarding preconditions, as I stated earlier, I believe the Palestinian side also needs to make thorough preparations to establish itself as a state.

As a matter of course, Japan has provided support for Palestinian Authority’s reforms to that end and human resource development. I believe it is important to further enhance such state-building efforts. While I would like to refrain from commenting based on speculation, I believe it is necessary to conduct various assessments into what to do with the current Gaza Strip and what would happen to the involvement of Hamas.

When I attend the conference on September 22, I will be explaining Japan’s decision, position, and future initiatives, as I mentioned in my opening remarks today.

Asahi Shimbun, KIYOMIYA: I would like to ask two questions. The first is related to possible further measures against Israel. Do you mean that, if Israel takes an even more hardline stance, Japan is considering sanctions against Israeli cabinet members, similar to those imposed by some European countries? Secondly, under the U.S. Trump administration, Secretary of State Rubio and others have expressed the view that recognizing Palestinian statehood is an act that benefits Hamas. Do you agree with this?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First, regarding further, new actions, it is as I responded earlier. At this stage, I would like to refrain from speculating on what specific action would be taken, but Japan will carefully consider all options, as you just mentioned “sanctions”, without ruling any out, including recognizing Palestinian statehood.

I would like to refrain from commenting on each and every point of the US position. We have strongly condemned the actions by Hamas, and we have no intention of benefitting Hamas.

Jiji Press, CHIBA: You stated that you conveyed Japan’s position during your telephone meetings with Israel, Palestine, and the U.S. Please share with us, to the extent that you can, the response of your counterparts.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: As they are matters of diplomatic exchanges, I would like to refrain from disclosing the details.

To the U.S., having conveyed Japan’s position, since the U.S. is a country that can exercise the greatest influence on Israel, I stated that Japan strongly condemns Israel’s current actions, that these actions must be ceased immediately, and that Japan would like the U.S. to demonstrate its leadership fully. In response, the U.S. explained its stance. I would like to refrain from going into further details.

I also explained Japan’s standpoint to Foreign Minister Sa’ar of Israel. I urged Israel, as a friend, to cease its current actions and that it should take wise actions in the light of the harsh international public opinion. The Israeli side explained their position and views.

To Palestine, I similarly conveyed Japan’s recognition and stated that Japan will continue to consistently support the two-state solution, that Japan will carry out truly effective and practical diplomatic activities to this end, and that Japan will continue to fully support Palestine’s reform efforts. Palestine expressed appreciation for Japan’s support over the years and outlined the very severe current situation.

Freelance, SHIBA: I would like to ask about Japan’s decision to forgo recognizing Palestinian statehood. Israel is already in a big uproar, saying that “Japan has taken Israel’s side.” At a time when the UN Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel’s attacks on Gaza constitute genocide, by deciding to forgo recognition, aside from how Japan considers this issue, Japan will inevitably be seen as having declared that it condones genocide by other countries. This, along with your name, will certainly remain as a rare stain in the history of Japanese diplomacy. What will Japan do to redeem itself? Isn’t it too slow for Japan not to consider sanctions against Israel? When genocide is allegedly taking place, isn’t it too slow for Japan not to even consider sanctions?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: “Regardless of what Japan thinks” is, I think, a strange way of putting it, since I have been explaining “what Japan thinks.”

There is absolutely no change in Japan’s consistent position of supporting a two-state solution to the issue of Israel and Palestine.

As for the commission you referred to, I understand that it is an independent commission comprised of three members serving in their individual capacity. The Government would like to refrain from commenting on the individual reports of this commission. However, as I stated at the outset, the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood is not a matter of “whether “but “when”.

To reiterate, I believe realistic and practical diplomatic efforts must be conducted in order to move even a step closer to realizing a two-state solution. We made such efforts today and will continue to make utmost efforts towards that direction.

Accordingly, we do not regard the latest decision as inconsistent with Japan’s stance on Middle East peace.

Asahi Shimbun, SASAYAMA: I would like to ask about the issue of Palestine. Based on its decision, Japan could be perceived as following in the footsteps of the U.S. Can you elaborate a little more on Japan’s “comprehensive judgement”?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: I believe I have been explaining this in considerable detail from the outset. I do not agree with your point that Japan followed in the footsteps of the U.S. As a matter of fact, there was no such explicit request. This is ultimately a decision Japan made independently and comprehensively.

The reasons that led to this decision are as I have outlined at length in my opening remarks, and therefore, I would like to refrain from repeating them. If there are specific points you wish to inquire about, I would be happy to answer them.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: I would like to change the topic to the LDP presidential election. Ms. TAKAICHI held a press conference today, and this in effect shapes up the election into a race among five candidates. I would like to ask who you currently support, if anyone. If there are any points you will be looking out for or attaching importance to in choosing who to support in the upcoming presidential election, could you please share them with us? Thank you.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: First of all, I have not decided who to support. Although you suggested that the list of candidates has generally been set, I believe not everyone has given their press conferences to officially declare their candidacy. I would like to listen carefully to their policy platforms and take my time in making a decision.

As I stated during either the last or the one before the last press conference, I have stated all along that a presidential election was unnecessary. However, now that a presidential election will be held, I would like the LDP President to be a leader who can carry on and advance the agenda of the ISHIBA administration. This includes carrying on and developing the policies to implement political reforms and address U.S. tariff measures, as well as economic policies, including measures against rising prices and wage increases. Furthermore, we are still halfway to establishing the Disaster Management Agency and achieving regional revitalization. I believe the desirable leader is the one who can take over and advance these challenges.

The other priority is politics based on careful deliberation, which we have conducted as a minority ruling party. Holding a presidential election will not change at all the situation that the LDP is a minority ruling party in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Therefore, I believe that a leader who can further deepen politics based on careful deliberations is desirable.

Freelance, SHIBA: I would like to follow up on my earlier question. Is the Government of Japan unsure as to whether Israel has committed genocide? Is that Japan’s stance? The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Considering such circumstances, it seems that the Government of Japan should take a more decisive response to Israel, whether it be sanctions or otherwise. What are your thoughts on this?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Of course, we are aware that, due to Israel’s actions, innocent civilians have been caught up in the conflict, resulting in their deaths and injuries. However, , whether this is deemed genocide is a matter that must be determined based on a detailed verification of the facts and in accordance with international law and humanitarian law.

While the judgment of the ICC exists as such, we do not consider it to be directly connected to the issue in question. Japan made its decision, considering whether recognizing Palestinian statehood will truly contribute to resolving the situation and when this should take place.

In addition, today, I once again strongly urged Israeli to cease its actions. As I stated in my opening remarks, if the situation deteriorates further, or develops into a situation in which the foundation of a two-state solution is completely undermined, then we must consider all options, including what you stated, that is, recognizing Palestine statehood or imposing sanctions, although I am not saying anything in particular based on speculation.

Kyodo News, KAJIKAZAWA: I would like to change the subject and ask about the Legislation for Peace and Security. Today marks ten years since the passage of the legislation. Integrated operations between the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the U.S. forces have been in progress. Please share your thoughts on the ten-year milestone as well as on the legislation’s impact on diplomacy. Furthermore, as the U.S. becomes more inward-looking under President Trump, there remains concerns about U.S. engagement with its allies. What significance do you attach to the Legislation for Peace and Security?

Foreign Minister IWAYA: It has been ten years since the enactment of the Legislation for Peace and Security. It is the paramount responsibility of the Government to safeguard Japan’s territorial land, airspace, and sea to maintain peace and stability in the region and to firmly and perpetually defend the lives and property of our citizens.

With the enactment of the Legislation for Peace and Security, I believe the Japan-U.S. Alliance has become stronger than ever, and its deterrence and response capabilities have also increased. In addition, coordination not only with the U.S., but also with like-minded countries has been strengthened.

For instance, last month, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force escorted the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Whales, which was its first-ever escort duties for protection of weapons and other assets for the UK military forces. As these examples demonstrate, under the Legislation for Peace and Security, I believe Japan has deepened its cooperation not only with its ally, but also with like-minded countries.

Therefore, I believe the legislation has created security arrangements that are broader in scope, which contributes to peace and security in Japan as well as to peace and stability in the region.

Furthermore, even after the legislation entered into force, Japan’s security policy has adapted appropriately and favorably to the severe security environment, including through the formulation of the three strategic documents.

Building on these efforts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to conduct diplomacy of dialogue and harmony to achieve peace and security in Japan and peace and stability in the region. Having also served as Minister of Defense, I believe diplomacy and defense are indeed two sides of the same coin or the two wheels of a cart. After enhancing deterrence capabilities, it is most important to build up diplomatic efforts to ensure that tensions do not heighten unnecessarily in the region. Both deterrence capabilities and diplomacy are needed, and I believe the enactment of the Legislation for Peace and Security has contributed significantly to enhancing deterrence capabilities.

Yomiuri Shimbun, UEMURA: I have two broad questions on the issue of recognizing Palestinian statehood. Quite a few countries, including France, have expressed that they recognize the state of Palestine. How do you foresee the future impact of the recent wave of recognitions? In addition, I believe Japan’s position is to forego recognizing Palestinian statehood at this time. How do you envisage working together with those countries that have decided to recognize Palestinian statehood? Second, last week, a parliamentary group handed you a written proposal or written request on this matter. I believe quite a few Diet members requested the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Yesterday, there were also people on the streets calling for recognition. Public opinion supporting the recognition of Palestine statehood in Japan has been gathering momentum. Although I do not assume that the Government’s decision ignored such voices entirely, could you share how the Government actually considered, received, and took account of these domestic voices in coming to its decision to forgo recognizing Palestinian statehood? I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter.

Foreign Minister IWAYA: Japan is consistently coordinating and communicating closely with like-minded countries, including G7 members.

This time, Japan has reached this decision. While I would like to refrain from commenting here on the decisions of other countries, positions on this issue are not necessarily uniform even among the G7, I understand.

However, we all are always in agreement that the present situation cannot be left unaddressed and that it must be somehow resolved. While each country has made its own judgment on the issue of recognizing Palestine statehood, Japan would like to continue working closely together, for example, as a member of the G7, or work more broadly with like-minded and friendly countries. I have no concerns that Japan will continue to work closely with these countries.

Additionally, I received requests from over 200 bipartisan members of the Diet. I would like to express my sincere respect for such activities, which I believe are motivated by concern over the current humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. I am in complete agreement. Since the Government’s decision was an outcome of a serious consideration of what would bring us even a step closer to resolving the situation, I will continue to explain the decision thoroughly to obtain understanding.