Japanese FM to visit Iran early in November

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is slated to visit Tehran on November 9 to discuss ways to expand bilateral ties and exchange views over the latest regional and international developments with Iranian officials. According to Japanese internet radio, the Japanese foreign minister is to confer with top Iranian officials in Tehran. During his stay in Tehran, Kishida will confer with President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on various issues of mutual interests along with nuclear standoff between Iran and the West. Late in September, President Rouhani and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe underlined the need for the further expansion of Tehran-Tokyo bilateral ties. During the meeting in New York, the Iranian president pointed to age-old Iran-Japan relations, and said, “There are good opportunities for the Iran and Japan to further enhance their mutual cooperation.” The Japanese prime minister, for his part, appreciated President Rouhani’s policy of direct interactions with other countries, and said, “Tokyo is quite hopeful for expansion of comprehensive ties with Iran in the framework of international regulations.” Diplomatic relations between Iran and Japan were formally established in 1926 and throughout history, the two countries have maintained a friendly and strongly cooperation in various arenas. The two countries' officials have held talks in different economic, trade, political and cultural fields in recent years to explore new ways of expanding bilateral ties.