Iran Press/Commentary: For the first time in the past 41 years, Tehran is hosting Japanese Prime Minister. Abe Shinzo's 3-day visit to Iran, beginning on June 12, encourages the prosperity of relations between the two countries. The political, cultural and social circles in both countries have greatly anticipated the results of the historic visit.
Historical evidence shows that Iran and Japan have never experienced a tumultuous period during their relationship and there has always been a good deal of trade between Tehran and Tokyo.
The relationship between Iran and Japan dates back to 1929 and signing a friendship agreement between the two countries. in fact, this year is the beginning of the official relationship between the two sides.
This friendly ties have been continued following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The expansion of relations between the two countries have been remarkable in various fields.
Iran& Japan relations to blossom
During the past 41 years, the sides have tried to maintain visits and consultations by sending political, diplomatic, cultural and economic delegations, and holding conventions, exchanges between leaders and senior officials, and hold meetings on the sidelines of the international summits, and major meetings.
The two countries have tried to maintain political, diplomatic, cultural and economic relations through holding conferences and meetings, exchanges, and exchanging views of the leaders and senior officials on the sidelines of summits and major international conferences.
In this regard, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has met and talked with Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo about eight times on the sidelines of different summits in New York that is a sign of warm relations between the two countries.
Iran-Japan Economic Relations
Iran-Japan economic relations are undoubtedly the most important aspect of the overall relationship between the two countries.
Japan imported almost 315,000 barrels of oil from Iran daily by 2011 and then this figure fell to 170 thousand barrels in 2015 as a result of sanctions, but it reached 195 thousand barrels in that year.
Despite the important role of oil in relations between the two countries, Japan's investment in various sectors of Iran’s economy has continued even after the sanctions have been imposed on Tehran.
But at the same time, it has been criticized that the speed of this cooperation has been lower than that of some European and Asian states, and there are still many other capacities of the two countries' economic ties that have not been flourished.
Cultural and artistic ties
Relations between the two countries have gone beyond the realm of politics and economics, and are taking place in the world of art and culture.
The year 2019, as the 90th anniversary of the establishment of political relations between Iran and Japan, is a great opportunity to strengthen the popular relations of the two countries, especially in the fields of science, culture and tourism. It also provides a good opportunity for more mutual understanding of the history of the culture and civilization of the two ancient countries of Asia.
In general, Mr. Abe's 12th June visit to Tehran can be a historic journey to open a new chapter in the relations between the two countries, while at the same time, could undergo fundamental changes in regional equations. 213/
Written by: Mohammad Reza Asgari
Translated by: Majid Sarabi
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