At the joint press conference held on Aug. 30 after the close of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe commented on the Iran situation and its standoff with the United States: “I would like to play a role in creating an opportunity for dialogue that includes Iran.” He thus expressed his desire to facilitate dialogue [between the two nations]. He also said he intends to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in New York at the end of this month when the UN General Assembly is held.

“Japan values dialogue with Iran,” said the Prime Minister. “We will persistently work to ease tension in the Middle East.”