Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has stated that Japan is considering formally recognizing the State of Palestine, contingent on the progress of the ongoing "peace process" in the Middle East.

During a meeting in Tokyo, the 71-year-old Japanese politician stated that her government supports the proposed "two-state solution" to the decades-long Israeli occupation of Palestine. She expressed that Japan understands the Palestinians' aspiration to establish an independent sovereign state and supports the ongoing efforts to achieve this goal.

The top diplomat stated, “with regard to recognition of the Palestinian state, we want to continue to address this issue comprehensively, taking into account how to advance the peace process."

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit had earlier called on Japan to recognize the State of Palestine.

At the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, where he attended the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum, he said, “That is the only solution; the apartheid, annexation, and oppression committed by Israel are not feasible solutions."

Aboul Gheit stated that the Israeli occupation, oppression, and persecution of Palestinians and Arabs since 1967 led the Hamas Resistance movement to launch a large-scale operation, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Flood, against the Israeli occupation on October 7. He said that “Israel has the urge and desire to suppress Palestinian hopes of independence,” adding, “We, however, are calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state.”

Armenia officially recognizes State of Palestine

On that note, late last month, Armenia announced recognizing the state of Palestine, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said, "The catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the ongoing military conflict is one of the primary issues on the international political agenda that requires resolution. The Republic of Armenia categorically rejects the targeting of civilian infrastructures, violence against the civilian population and the hostage-taking and capture of civilians during the armed conflict and joins the demands of the international community for their release without preconditions."

It further declared joining the resolutions of the UN General Assembly for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.