Wed Sep 17 02:29:09 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article, formatted for The Hindu:

**Summary:**

The article from The Hindu reports that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to skip a crucial U.N. meeting on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The decision, according to the Asahi newspaper, stems from Japan’s reluctance to recognize a Palestinian state, primarily to maintain strong relations with the United States and avoid antagonizing Israel. Despite supporting a U.N. declaration advocating tangible steps towards a two-state solution, Japan’s Foreign Minister has stated that Japan is conducting an evaluation. Other nations, including Britain, France, Canada, and Australia, are planning to recognize a Palestinian state, increasing pressure on Israel. The US is encouraging Japan to refrain from recognizing Palestine. Germany and Italy also see immediate recognition as counterproductive.

**News Article:**

**Japan Hesitates on Palestinian State Recognition Amid International Pressure**

**TOKYO, September 17, 2025:** Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is poised to abstain from a key meeting on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine at the upcoming United Nations gathering in New York, signaling a continued reluctance from Tokyo to formally recognize a Palestinian state.

According to the Asahi newspaper, citing unnamed government sources, Japan’s hesitation stems from a desire to maintain its close relationship with the United States and avoid potentially damaging relations with Israel. This move comes despite growing international momentum towards recognizing Palestinian statehood, with several nations, including Britain, France, Canada, and Australia, indicating their intention to formally recognize Palestine at the U.N. General Assembly this month.

While Japan’s Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwaya, stated on Tuesday that the government is conducting a “comprehensive assessment” on the issue of Palestinian statehood, the decision to skip the meeting suggests a cautious approach. Last week French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot strongly urged his Japanese counterpart to recognise Palestine, Kyodo news agency reported.

The United States has reportedly used diplomatic channels to encourage Japan to refrain from recognition.

At a U.N. meeting last week, Japan was among 142 nations that supported a declaration outlining “tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps” towards a two-state solution, highlighting a commitment to the broader goal of peace in the region. However, within the Group of Seven (G7) nations, Germany and Italy have expressed reservations, deeming an immediate recognition of Palestine as potentially “counterproductive.”

The situation places Japan in a delicate position, balancing international pressure, alliance considerations, and its own long-term foreign policy objectives in the Middle East. The decision has attracted attention in India as part of its own evaluation of foreign policy.

Read More