TOKYO (Dispatches) – 
Tokyo will consider recognizing an independent State of Palestine in a “comprehensive manner”, Japanese officials told Anadolu, pitching Tokyo’s “unique” role to move toward a solution in the Middle East, Anadolu Agency reports.
Japan does not recognize Palestine as an independent State but hosts the semi-status diplomatic mission, known as the Permanent General Mission of Palestine in Tokyo.
The diplomatic mission representing the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) government opened in 1977, and is headed by Ambassador Waleed Siam, who had told Anadolu that Japan is “now studying seriously, and also South Korea, recognizing the state of Palestine.”
“They know that recognizing the state of Palestine does not hinder future peace talks between us and Israelis,” Siam said in a virtual interview early this month.
“Japan continues to support a solution through negotiations between the parties,” foreign ministry officials told Anadolu in an email interview on Wednesday.
Tokyo would like to “contribute to the progress of the peace process by making the most effective use of the unique position Japan has established in the Middle East region,” said the officials through the International Press Division of the Ministry.