FOREIGN POLICY AND RECOGNITION OF PALESTINE
The candidates were also pressed on their views regarding Palestinian statehood, amid recent moves by Western nations to recognise a Palestinian state.
Japan is not among the more than 150 United Nations members that recognise it as a sovereign state, though Ishiba has said it is a matter of “when” rather than “if” – a point echoed by some party presidential candidates.
“It’s about when we will do it,” said 64-year-old Yoshimasa Hayashi, the top government spokesman in Ishiba’s Cabinet who has a wealth of ministerial experience.
“We moved one step forward. There are countries that have done it. We will watch if that has led to a good result.”
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi – one of the top favourites to succeed Ishiba, according to media polls – was more cautious.
“If I become prime minister and (party) president, I will be sure to be briefed in detail on international affairs for comprehensive decision-making,” said the 44-year-old.
Another frontrunner, former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, criticised Ishiba’s foreign policy record.
“The security environment around Japan is extremely severe,” said the 64-year-old, who lost to Ishiba in the previous run-off.
“We are in the front line of nuclear states. They are all our neighbours. We have to be able to defend ourselves,” she added. “On Japan’s diplomacy, its presence is weakening.”
