JAPAN RECONGNIZES PALESTINIAN NATIONALITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 005062 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2017 TAGS: PREL CPAS KPAL JA SUBJECT: JAPAN RECONGNIZES PALESTINIAN NATIONALITY Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d ) 1.(C) SUMMARY: Japan has decided to recognize Palestinian nationality as of October 15 and will no longer consider children born in Japan to Palestinian parents to be "stateless," as was previously the case. The Palestinian mission in Tokyo is pleased with this development, and considers it a step forward politically, even though they acknowledge disappointment that a previously held right to claim Japanese citizenship has been extinguished. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Japan, as of October 15, 2007, has started recognizing Palestinian residents and their children as holding Palestinian "nationality." This is the first instance in which Japan will allow foreign nationals to acquire nationality designations even though the government has not formally recognized their country as a state. JapQtreats the Palestinian Authority as an interim government but does not recognize Palestine as a state. Tokyo has reportedly decided to recognize Palestinian nationality because the Palestinian Authority has developed into an entity similar to a state, and because Japan has recognized passports issued by the PA since 2002. ¶3. (U) The main practical effect of this new policy will be to deny claims to Japanese citizenship made by children born to Palestinian parents in Japan. According to the Japanese Nationality Law, children who are born to parents considered "stateless" are given Japanese nationality. Now that Japan recognizes a Palestinian nationality, children born to Palestinian parents in Japan will be considered Palestinian, not Japanese. This change is to have retroactive effect, meaning that any children born in Japan to Palestinian parents even prior to October 15 will also, henceforth, be considered not to have a claim to Japanese citizenship. ¶4. (C) Waleed Siam, Chief of the Permanent General Mission of Palestine in Tokyo, told political officer he considers this a very positive development, although he acknowledged it will cost Palestinians the right to claim Japanese citizenship, which is considered by them to be a valuable option. Nevertheless, Siam felt it more important in the long term that Palestinian national rights be acknowledged and recognized, and said the Japanese were unwilling to have it both ways, i.e., recognize Palestinian nationality and still grant Japanese citizenship status to children born in Japan to Palestinian parents. Siam said he has been working toward this goal for two years and is now working closely with the Japanese to implement the new policy, urging Tokyo to begin listing "Palestinian" on drivers licenses, visas, work permits, and other identity documents, in place of the previously used "stateless" designation. ¶5. (C) The Japanese, too, seem satisfied with this arrangement. MOFA First Middle East Division Director Hideo Sato told political officer Japan is happy to be able to show its support for the Palestinians. Left unsaid, however, was also the fact that this policy works to limit claims to Japanese citizenship by "outsiders." SCHIEFFER