Japan's policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Balancing divergent interests and strategic constraints (2023—2024)

Abstract

The article examines Japan's policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. A core dilemma in Ja pan's approach lies in balancing its loyalty to Arab nations — crucial for securing energy supplies and avoiding a repeat of the 1973 “oil shock” — with its alignment to the United States' pro-Israel stance. These conflicting priorities make Japan's diplomatic behavior in this context particularly significant.

 Using official documents and statements from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the author outlines Tokyo's official position, explores its divergence from U.S. policy, and traces its historical motivations. To highlight Japan’s strategic challenges during the conflict's escalation, the study employs the case study method. Two key cases are analyzed: Japan’s immediate response to the Hamas attack and subsequent Israeli military actions, and Nagasaki City Hall’s decision not to invite Israel’s ambassador to its peace ceremony on August 9, 2024. These cases were selected for their illustration of Japan’s difficulties in reconciling with the U.S. position as its main ally. The author analyzes these cases by employing elements of event analysis. Specifically, the most significant verbal and physical actions are identified, and for each action, the subject (actor) and the object (audience) are clearly defined. The analysis identifies five key audiences that shape Japan's policy regarding this conflict: the U.S. government, Arab governments, UN member states, neighboring South-east Asian countries, and, importantly, Japan’s domestic public, which strongly favors pacifism.

The study concludes that, while Japan’s diplomacy during the 2023—2024 conflict could not satisfy all these audiences simultaneously, it was nonetheless relatively successful in navigating these competing pressures.