Japan Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara
Economy
Morocco's efforts to end the artificial dispute over its southern provinces have been recognized by Japan, which has expressed its support for a genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.
This position was stated in a joint communiqué signed by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu during a video conference held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Japan.
Japan welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797 on October 31, 2025, which stated that 'a genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could be a highly feasible solution.' The resolution emphasized Japan's intention to act in accordance with this position at the diplomatic and economic levels.
The joint communiqué also stated that Japan expressed its support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to facilitate and conduct negotiations based on the Moroccan autonomy plan, with the aim of reaching a just, durable, and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute.
Japan called on the parties to participate in discussions without preconditions and based on the Moroccan autonomy plan, with the aim of reaching a definitive and mutually acceptable political solution.
The communiqué also stated that Japan considered genuine autonomy to be a highly feasible solution.
To concretize this new position, Mr.
Toshimitsu stated that Japan is ready to act, including at the diplomatic and economic levels, taking into account its position and the current evolution of the situation.
The affirmation by Japan of the centrality of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is a new recognition of Morocco's efforts to end the artificial dispute over its southern provinces, in line with the enlightened vision and high strategic orientations of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him.
By adopting this advanced position, Tokyo joins other international powers and the overwhelming majority of the international community, which support autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the only solution to this regional dispute and have decided to act on this basis on the diplomatic, political, and economic fronts, among others.