Former Deputy FM: Japan can contribute to preventing confrontation between US and Iran

Japan can contribute to establishing stability in the Middle East and preventing confrontation between the US and Iran, Former Deputy Minister of Japan Foreign Affairs, Professor Mitoji Yabunaka told Report.

The Professor believes that Japan's mediation initiative regarding Iran is due to the fact that Tokyo has strong relations with both Washington and historically good relations with Tehran. "Unfortunately, Trump decided to withdraw from the deal with Iran, while stability in this region is extremely important. Japan can make its own contribution to this issue. This initiative has nothing to do with the G20 summit. This is more due to what is happening between the US and Iran," the former Deputy Foreign Minister of Japan said.

Commenting on the results of the G20 summit held in Osaka on June 28-29, Yabunaka noted that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did everything to ensure that the summit was successful and ended with the signing of the Declaration on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation: "If the summit did not succeed in signing the Declaration, it would be a failure."

Professor Yabunaka stressed that the issue of free trade is more important than ever: "The sides of the summit were able to reach agreement on the principles of free trade development. And it can be called successful."