Japan lauds Tokyo-Tehran ‘friendly’ ties

TEHRAN - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has hailed his country’s ties with Iran as “traditionally friendly.

Japan, China ties at ‘historic turning point’ as Abe is in Beijing

China has welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a rare trip to the country, where the two regional powers are due to sign a number of deals amid deepening trade dispute with the United States.

Rouhani meets world leaders in New York

TEHRAN – During his visit to New York, President Hassan Rouhani met with a number of top world leaders and discussed a range of issues including bilateral relations and the nuclear deal Iran and six world powers struck in 2015.

Japan’s Abe cancels plan to visit Iran

TEHRAN – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has dropped his plan to visit Iran this summer, government sources said on Tuesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump has taken an increasingly tough line against Tehran.

By staff and agency

Shinzo Abe may visit Iran in July

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering visiting Iran in July for talks with President Hassan Rouhani.

By Hiroyasu Kobayashi Japan’s ambassador to Tehran 

Toward expanding cordial relations between Japan and Iran 

More than two years have passed since I started my mission in Iran in October 2015. I am pleased to see that Japan and Iran have a steady progress in expanding relations after overcoming a variety of difficulties.

Rouhani pushes for environment cooperation with Japan

Japan’s Abe urges all nuclear deal signatories to respect their obligations

TEHRAN - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called on the signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement to respect the international agreement and remain committed to their obligations.

By Kathy Gilsinan & Yasmeen Serhan

What does it mean for North Korea to fly a missile over Japan?

This latest strike may be Pyongyang’s most provocative test this year.

By Adam Cathcart

China won't bail out Trump on North Korea

When it comes to geopolitical theater, no one can accuse the North Korean leadership of lacking a certain sense of timing.

By Benoit Hardy-Chartr & J. Berkshire Miller

Japan's delicate balancing act in the South China Sea

Sino-Japanese relations have long been marred by a maritime and territorial row in the East China Sea as well as a historical dispute over Japan's wartime memory, which has prevented sustainable rapprochement.

World officials seek closer ties with Iran as Rouhani reelected president

TEHRAN – Senior world officials are continuing to send messages of congratulation to Hassan Rouhani on his re-election as president, calling for closer ties with Tehran.

World officials continue congratulating Rouhani

TEHRAN - Messages of congratulation from various countries’ officials are continually pouring in on re-election of Hassan Rouhani as president.

By John Nilsson-Wright

Kim and Trump have more in common than they think

Calculated ambiguity and coercive diplomacy appear to be at the heart of U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to dealing with North Korea. As a candidate, Trump seemed to revel in keeping his opponents guessing — for example when he announced his “secret plan” for dealing with the Islamic State terrorist group (ISIL).

Key events in 2016

In many ways, 2016 was a year of extremes. The world saw a massive wave of political change and natural catastrophes. As the year 2016 comes to an end, here’s a look back at the major headlines and events.

The lesson from Pearl Harbour is that trade is the best way to calm tensions in Asia

Shinzo Abe has become the first Japanese prime minister to visit Pearl Harbour since his country’s attack on the U.S. base there brought America into the Second World War. American involvement in the war helped make the U.S. into the ultimate guarantor of Western security and thus the greatest cause of peace and prosperity in the modern world. 

Abe-Putin talks underline deep differences on territorial issue

A joint news conference in Tokyo by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 16 threw a glaring spotlight on differences in priorities.

Zarif meets Japan’s Abe to discuss issues of mutual interest

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on Thursday to discuss various issues at a meeting in Tokyo.

FM Zarif to head to India, China, and Japan

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will start its three-leg visit to China, India, and Japan, a policy the ministry’s spokesman saw in line with efforts to establish “balanced” relations with countries. 

Iran open to co-op in energy sphere: president

TEHRAN – Addressing international figures in separate encounters on the sidelines of the UN general assembly meeting in New York, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani stressed that Iran welcomes cooperation in various fields especially in energy sphere, Shana reported on Thursday citing the president’s official website.