Japan's Abe warns conflict with Iran impacts entire world
Japan is longtime ally of the United States, but has longstanding relations and interests with Iran.
Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe called for calm at the start of his visit to the Gulf region in Saudi Arabia [Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP Photo]
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on a visit to the Middle East hoping to calm ease tensions sparked by the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, has warned that military confrontation with Iran will harm peace and stability across the world.
Abe's comments came at the start of a five-day Gulf tour that had been thrown into doubt after Tehran responded to the assassination of Soleimani by firing missiles at bases hosting American troops in Iraq, prompting fears of all-out war.
But as those concerns receded, the Japanese prime minister decided to go ahead with the visit and on Sunday discussed regional tensions during an hour-long meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in northwestern Al-Ula province, according to foreign ministry spokesman Masato Ohtaka.
"Any military confrontation in the region that includes a country like Iran will have an impact not only on peace and stability in the region but the peace and stability of the whole world," Abe said, according to Ohtaka.
Abe called "on all relevant countries to engage in diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions", Ohtaka added.
The spokesman said the two leaders agreed on working closely on maritime security in the region and discussed Tokyo's decision to send a destroyer for intelligence activities along with two P-3C patrol aircraft to the Middle East.
Japan, however, has said it will not join a US-led coalition in the region.
Tokyo has walked a fine line in balancing its key alliance with Washington and its longstanding relations and interests with Tehran.
Ohtaka said that Abe stressed the importance of a continuous and stable Saudi oil supply to Japan.
The prime minister's tour will also include visits to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Abe's comments came at the start of a five-day Gulf tour that had been thrown into doubt after Tehran responded to the assassination of Soleimani by firing missiles at bases hosting American troops in Iraq, prompting fears of all-out war.
But as those concerns receded, the Japanese prime minister decided to go ahead with the visit and on Sunday discussed regional tensions during an hour-long meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in northwestern Al-Ula province, according to foreign ministry spokesman Masato Ohtaka.
"Any military confrontation in the region that includes a country like Iran will have an impact not only on peace and stability in the region but the peace and stability of the whole world," Abe said, according to Ohtaka.
Abe called "on all relevant countries to engage in diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions", Ohtaka added.
The spokesman said the two leaders agreed on working closely on maritime security in the region and discussed Tokyo's decision to send a destroyer for intelligence activities along with two P-3C patrol aircraft to the Middle East.
Japan, however, has said it will not join a US-led coalition in the region.
Tokyo has walked a fine line in balancing its key alliance with Washington and its longstanding relations and interests with Tehran.
Ohtaka said that Abe stressed the importance of a continuous and stable Saudi oil supply to Japan.
The prime minister's tour will also include visits to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
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