ISTANBUL 

Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi on Tuesday avoided a categorical response to the recognition of an independent Palestinian state but condemned Israel's ongoing actions in the Gaza Strip.

“Regarding recognition of the statehood of Palestine, with regard to international discussions, we are focusing on the trends with great interest, (and) with the United States, we have close exchanges on a daily basis,” Iwaya said at a press conference in Tokyo.

His comments came in response to reports that the US had asked Japan not to recognize Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly later this month.

Recognizing the Palestinian state would have "a significant impact" on US-Japan relations, Kyodo News reported, citing a US government source.

Showing reluctance to explicitly support Palestinian statehood, Iwaya said Japan has "consistently supported the two-state solution," and that Tokyo's position has not changed.

While he said Japan would "in due course" announce any steps toward recognizing Palestine, Iwaya added: "But the question remaining is when that will be, when the timing of that will be."

What matters is the achievement of peace. So, in terms of backing the advancement of peace and the peace process, what is most effective and practical is something that we are seriously considering, said the top Japanese diplomat.

"With regard to the recognition of the statehood of Palestine, including the appropriate timing, the government is making an overall assessment," he said.

Regarding Japan's communication with the US, he said: "It is important to closely liaise with the United States," as Washington has a "stronger exercise of influence" over Israel.

“What Israel is trying to implement is the occupation of more regions of Gaza, and we are strongly condemning that act, having said that we need to stop that. In order to do that, we need to have clear communication with the United States,” he added.

Notably, on Thursday, a nonpartisan group of Japanese lawmakers, including members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, submitted a petition with 206 signatures to Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, urging the government to recognize Palestine.

Since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed almost 65,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza. The relentless bombardment has rendered the enclave uninhabitable and triggered widespread starvation and disease.