Arab News Japan

TOKYO: About 50 protesters gathered in front of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest the government’s refusal to recognize Palestine as a state.

The protesters denounced the Ministry and the decision by the government, shouting, “We don’t need a government that is complicit in genocide.”

The demonstration was billed as an “Emergency protest against the Japanese government, which follows the orders of the United States.” Media reports have suggested that the United States has been pressuring Japan not to recognize Palestine at an upcoming meeting at the United Nations.

Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru is not expected to attend the UN conference and Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi has confirmed that Japan is not planning to recognize Palestine as a state, for now.

The decision comes despite the UN Human Rights Council’s-investigative committee concluding that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide and the UN Secretary-General stating that “it is desirable for as many countries as possible to recognize Palestine as a state.”

The protesters said the Japanese government must cease the persecution of Palestinians by Israel and uphold international law and the rights of the Palestinians.

One of the demonstration leaders told Arab News Japan: “We have been constantly seeking recognition of the state of Palestine and while I don’t think a two-state solution is the absolute solution, I still believe that state recognition holds some significance. The current position to not recognize Palestine as a state is, I believe, inhumane. It’s unacceptable. I really want to see the liberation of Palestine as soon as possible.”