Japan, which has been pursuing friendship with both the United States and the Middle East, is currently taking a different turn.
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Maintaining cordial relations with Middle Eastern countries is crucial for Japan's bright economic future and peace. Every new government that has come to power in Japan since 1952 has taken steps with this in mind. In fact, after World War II, Japan's foreign policy did not face any major challenges. However, the Middle East, which supplies 80 percent of Japan's energy needs, has always been politically and economically unstable. Moreover, the US's global interests in the Middle East, a strategic ally of Japan, have become a different headache for Japan. Because of its friendship with the United States, Japan often has to sacrifice its own important energy needs, or alternatively its economic interests. Japan's Gochi is a prime example of this, given the current tensions between Iran and the United States.
Both Japan and Iran are celebrating their 90th anniversary this year. Iran is a major supplier of oil and natural gas to Japan. Initially, Japan had no problem pursuing an independent policy with Iran. However, the situation changed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. US grip on Iran loosens In this changing situation, the US turned its attention to energy imports from Iran to Japan. The US took a different tack on the pretext of the Iran-Iraq war. The United States has warned the nations concerned that continued oil imports from Iran could strengthen Iran against Iraq.
In 2000, Japan acquired a priority from Iran in exchange for developing an oil field with an estimated 26 billion barrels of oil reserves. This agreement was very important for Japan. Because, it was going to improve Japan’s energy situation. In 2004, Japan invested 75% in the project. However, under US pressure, it was reduced to 10 percent by 2006, and in 2010 Japan had to withdraw from the project altogether. The experience was very disappointing for Japan. Even more disturbing is the fact that China took advantage of the situation and invested in the project.
In 2015, the United States, Britain, Germany, France, China, Russia and Iran signed a nuclear deal. He welcomed the agreement, even though Japan was not part of it. Japan hopes the agreement will bring peace and stability to the Middle East. At the same time, Japan was keen to increase energy trade by maintaining cordial relations with Iran on the pretext of the agreement. However, Japan's enthusiasm and optimism did not last long.
US President Donald Trump abruptly decided to pull out of the deal. This led to renewed tensions in the Middle East. While Russia and China have sided with Iran on the issue, other European allies have strongly opposed it. Despite not being part of the agreement, Japan has established good economic relations with Iran since 2015. Not only that, Shinzo Abe has been holding summit meetings at the United Nations with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for six consecutive years since 2013. In 2016, the two countries also signed an investment agreement to boost economic ties. Under the agreement, about 30 Japanese companies will invest in Iran to import crude oil.
Tehran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf after Trump imposed sanctions on Iran. In response, Trump sent aircraft carriers and B-52 bombers to Iran. Under such circumstances, if Iran withdrew from the nuclear deal, there was a risk of another major instability in the Middle East.
In the midst of all this tension, Trump paid a formal visit to Japan in May 2019. It was a great opportunity for both leaders to discuss the state of emergency in Iran. Given the cordial relations between Japan and Iran, Trump encouraged Abe to visit Iran. Trump wanted to see if he could find a way to reduce the current tension by discussing it with Iranian leaders.
Abe's visit to Iran was significant in many ways. Because, for the first time in 41 years, the Prime Minister of Japan was going to visit Iran. Earlier, in 1978, the then Prime Minister Takyo Fukuda visited Iran. Abe traveled to Iran between June 12 and 15. His aim was to try to resolve the current tense situation. During his visit to Iran, Abe met with Iranian President Rouhani and several other leaders. "Iran must play a formative capacity in promoting political stability and peace in the Middle East," Abe said.
Japan considers it important to propose that Iran should not resume its nuclear program under any circumstances. For that, it is equally important to listen to Iran's side. Only then can reconciliation be achieved. Many countries believe that Trump's unilateral decision to pull out of the nuclear deal is due to the current turmoil. Both Iran and the United States are facing serious consequences. As far as Iran is concerned, the economic sanctions imposed by the international community could plunge the people of that country into poverty. No government will struggle to get out of such a predicament. Speaking of the US, Trump will soon have to start campaigning for the presidency. The issue of Iran can be discussed in detail.
In such a complex situation, Abe's role will be crucial. This issue will be important for all at the G20 summit in Osaka. While defending Iran in the Abe-Trump talks, it remains to be seen whether the situation will improve in the future. Of course, we'll have to wait a few days to see what the future holds.
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