TOKYO, Wednesday, July 10, 2024 (WAFA) – The League of Arab States (LAS) chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit today urged Japan to recognize the State of Palestine.

During his first official visit to Japan to participate in the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum in Tokyo on Wednesday and Thursday July 10-11, LAS chief Aboul Gheit urged the Japanese side to recognize the State of Palestine since such a recognition would have a significant impact on encouraging remaining states to follow suite and contribute to alleviating the deteriorating situation in Palestine.

As part of his visit, Aboul Gheit held separate meetings with Secretary General of the Japanese Council of Ministers, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yōko Kamikawa, and Chairman of the Japanese House of Councilors’ Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, Onoda Kimi.

He exchanged views with the Japanese officials on the most notable issues of mutual concern in the Middle East region, particularly the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip, while cautioning of the development of the Israeli genocidal war on the Strip into a regional war and ensuing grave consequences on regional stability and global security.

He thanked Japan for their assistance to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and highlighted the profound historical relations between Japan and the Arab World as well as the scale of trade exchange that reached approx. $140 billion in 2024.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamikawa stated that “she will continue to urge all parties to abide by international law, and to make diplomatic efforts to realize . . . a ceasefire as soon as possible,” according to a press release by the Foreign Ministry.

Minister Kamikawa also stated that “Japan is encouraging South East Asian countries to get involved in supporting Palestine through the Conference on cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD).”

K.F.