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TOKYO: The ambassador of the State of Palestine in Tokyo, Waleed Siam, has urged the Japanese government to recognize Palestine as a state, saying support from Japan “is crucial to our cause.”

In an interview with Arab News Japan on Saturday, Siam said Japan’s potential recognition of Palestine was a brave decision that would resonate with the Palestinian people.

“It reflects a commitment to justice and offers a hopeful message for peace and respect for international law,” he said. “The Palestinian community will appreciate this stance from Japan and looks forward to strengthening ties and cooperation between their nations for generations to come.”

France and ������Ƶ will co-chair a conference in New York on Sept. 22 promote a two-state solution.

The planned recognition of the Palestinian state by countries such as France and Britain aims to put pressure on Israel to lift its siege of the Gaza Strip.

Currently, the Japanese government, led by outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is in the final stages of discussions about recognizing the state of Palestine. Ishiba announced his decision to resign last Sunday.

In contrast, the US “has urged Japan not to recognize Palestine as a state at the UN General Assembly later this month,” diplomatic sources said Friday.

According to Kyodo News: “The United States has communicated to Japan its opposition to recognizing a Palestinian state through various diplomatic channels, arguing that such recognition would exacerbate the situation and urging Tokyo to align with Washington.”

The report added a source from the US government had warned Tokyo recognizing a Palestinian state would significantly affect US-Japan relations.

Meanwhile, during a phone call on Thursday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya to recognize the state, according to a Japanese government source. Sources also indicate Britain has expressed similar sentiments.

Asked to comment on the reports, Siam said the reported US pressure was unjustified and contrasted sharply with growing international recognition of an independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.

He emphasized this recognition was not just a matter of opinion; it was firmly grounded in resolutions of international legitimacy and law.

“We appreciate the courageous stance of nations that intend to recognize the State of Palestine, especially the efforts of France and ������Ƶ,” he said.

The long road to Palestinian statehood

An Arab News Deep Dive

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KATMANDU: Nepal’s capital on Saturday took a step back toward normality after deadly anti-corruption protests, as daily life returned with a curfew eased and an interim prime minister sworn into office.
Soldiers scaled back their presence on the streets, where they had been deployed in large numbers since Wednesday after violent demonstrations toppled the government and left parliament in flames.
At least 51 people were killed in the worst unrest since the end of a decade-long civil war and the abolition of the monarchy in 2008.
On Friday evening, 73-year-old former chief justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as interim leader, tasked with restoring order and addressing protesters’ demands for a corruption-free future.
Parliament was later dissolved, elections set for March 5, 2026, and work to restore the government began.
By Saturday morning, the mood on the streets was calmer, with markets opening, traffic returning and families visiting temples.

’Satisfied today’

For many Nepalis, Karki’s appointment carried both symbolic weight and the promise of change.
“Nepal has got its first woman prime minister,” said Suraj Bhattarai, 51, a social worker.
“We think that the prime minister — our former chief justice — will address Nepal’s fight against corruption and take good governance forward.”
The appointment of Karki, known for her independence, came after intense negotiations by army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel and President Ram Chandra Paudel, including with “Gen Z” representatives, the loose umbrella title of the youth protest movement.
Thousands of young activists had used the app Discord to debate the next steps — and name Karki as their choice of next leader.
The new prime minster appeared to be widely welcomed as people sought to put the unrest behind them.
“The interim government decision is good for now,” said Durga Magar, 23, who works in a Katmandu shop.
“The main issue for the people, especially young people, at this time is corruption,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter whether it is Gen Z, or anyone older in politics who tackles it — it just needs to stop,” she added.
Protests, which began Monday and escalated on Tuesday, fed into long-standing economic woes in Nepal.
A fifth of people aged 15-24 are unemployed, according to the World Bank, with GDP per capita standing at just $1,447.
“We don’t know what will happen in the future now but we are satisfied today and hope it will not remain as tense ahead,” Magar added.

’Musical chairs’

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered his “best wishes” to Karki, adding that New Delhi was “firmly committed to the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of Nepal.”
Huge challenges remain.
The protesters’ hope of rooting out endemic corruption is no easy task, while in terms of security, more than 12,500 prisoners who escaped from jails during the chaos are on the run.
But for many, Karki’s swearing-in marks a break from the revolving door of aging prime ministers who fueled public anger with endless political horse-trading.
KP Sharma Oli, the 73-year-old leader of the Communist Party, quit as prime minister on Tuesday, ending his fourth term in the post. His whereabouts are not known.
“They were playing a game of musical chairs,” said Katmandu businessman Shikhar Bajracharya, 32.
“There was no possibility for younger people to come into power.”