politics

Iran on agenda as Israeli PM arrives in Japan

16 Comments

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Tokyo on Sunday for talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe where he is expected to take up the issues of Iranian nuclear talks and economic cooperation.

Netanyahu is likely to press Japan to side with Israel over nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers when he meets with Abe Monday afternoon, the Asahi Shimbun reported.

Iran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany will begin their talks in Vienna on Tuesday when they start drafting the text of a comprehensive and potentially historic deal.

In a nutshell, such an accord would reduce the scale of the Islamic republic's atomic program so as to render any dash to make nuclear weapons extremely difficult and easily detectable.

In return, all U.N. Security Council sanctions and additional, unilateral Western restrictions targeting Iran's lifeblood oil exports would be lifted.

Netanyahu is likely to call on Abe not to lift sanctions, reflecting Israel's position that nothing short of a total dismantling of Iran's nuclear program is acceptable, the Asahi said.

Japan, which is heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil, has maintained friendly relations with Iran through its years of ostracism, keeping up a diplomatic two-way that many developed countries cut off decades ago.

Along with China, India and South Korea, Japan is among Iran's biggest oil export markets.

The West and Israel have long suspected Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian program, something Tehran denies.

But since President Hassan Rouhani took office in Iran in August, hopes have been raised of an end to the long-running crisis.

Abe and Netanyahu are also expected to agree to strengthen cooperation on countering cyber-attacks, Kyodo News reported, citing an unnamed government source.

They are also likely to agree to hold a security dialogue at their level and increase exchanges between their defense officials, it said.

On the economic front, Netanyahu will likely to give a sales pitch for Israeli technologies as he will meet with Japanese business leaders on Tuesday, local media reported.

© (c) 2014 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

16 Comments
Login to comment

Stuart

Some causes are objectively better than others, even if they are advanced by equally bad means.

You speak of the Cold War as if you are not involved. You are. Just as you are involved in the defeat of Fascism, both in Europe and in East Asia.

It is good thing the US runs the show. The US is better than Iran.

That is the point. Your blithe chuckling notwithstanding.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Basically Israel wants to be the guy with the big stick in the region permanently... but if Iran gets armed with a nuke the monopoly is pretty much over and the power shift drives more challenges to Israel.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Curious to know: do you really think a world dominated by Russia would be no different than the current one dominated by the US?

You're kidding right? Can't believe you would even ask a question like that.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

JTDanMan: Your response caused me to lol. It sounds like a Cold War propaganda slogan, straight out of the 60s. Please explain how the world would have been dominated by Russia?? How did you come up with that response, from my comment?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Isnt Israel's position on Iran's nuclear program the same as Japan's positon on North Korea's nuclear program. Iran's government has repeatedly stated their plan to wipe Israel off of the map. The same threat that the Il's have stated in DPRK about Japan

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I realize Iran's leaders are guilty of many poor actions but who can claim their government isn't?

Curious to know: do you really think a world dominated by Russia would be no different than the current one dominated by the US?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The following phrasing by the Asahi Shinbun-

"---Israel's position that nothing short of a total dismantling of Iran's nuclear program is acceptable"

is precise, and constitutes a key statement. The meaning of this statement is that Benjamin Netanyahu seriously intends to launch a war against Iran soon if Iran's nuclear program is not dismantled. And that means that he is going to set fire to the region. More information and a plea for help can be found in

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Benjamin_Netanyahu_Israeli_prime_minister_Refrain_from_a_war_against_Iran

or by searching for "Benjamin refrain".

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Gaigingaigin:

1) Japan is not "loved everywhere for their kind heart and great behavior". I don't think that China, Korea, the Philippines, and other formerly invaded countries have much affection for Japan.

2) "Kids are being killed in Palatine with Israeili Chemicals and then Iran is developing weapons?!" That is simply untrue.

3) "I cant even call them a country since they are landing on occupied palatine." In May 1948, Israel became an independent state after Israel was recognized by the United Nations as a country in its own right within the Middle East.

Please try to avoid posting incorrect and misleading statements.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Irony, a nuclear (and human rights) rogue state leader wanting Japan to become more aggressive in punishing an NNPT compliant state for daring to have a purely civilian (even according to the spy agencies of that rogue state) heavily inspected, nuclear medicine and energy program.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Japanese are loved everywhere for their kind heart and great behavior. I hope this visit doesnt destroy that. Israeli government (NOT people) are the most hated government in the region and I hope Japanese play smart on not getting involved on such a shameful condition. Kids are being killed in Palatine with Israeili Chemicals and then Iran is developing weapons?!! I agree Iranian government has lots of issues regarding human right, but still much better than so called Israeili government (I cant even call them a country since they are landing on occupied palatine). Peace in ME will come if countries solve the problem of occupied palatine

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It's a fact that Netanyahu has been saying Iran will have nuclear weapons for more than 20 years, they don't but Israel does, as well as chemical weapons. Yet they haven't allowed a single inspection of their programs, Iran has allowed more international inspections, than any country on the planet. I realize Iran's leaders are guilty of many poor actions but who can claim their government isn't?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Japan has a lot of people consuming a lot of oil. I think Japan was one of Iran's best customers for a while and that's what Israel is concerned about. I think Japan is having a hard time maintaining sanctions considering Iran giving them a good deal on what they need.

For all of the folks who are so confident with the Palestinian plight. I would be very interested in hearing your personal accounts of the situation. If you are commenting from what you have gained from the media, just keep in mind.. Every situation isn't black and white; good and bad. If you go to Israel, and you are definitely invited; you will see..

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

What a surprise - Netanyahu has Iran on the agenda, the same Iran who were 6 months away from having a nuclear bomb six years ago. Guess he doesn't want to talk about the oppression of the Palestinians then. This man is a major threat to world peace. He is a religious fanatic. If he were a Muslim with the same standing and power he would have been Droned out years ago.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Netanyahu is likely to call on Abe not to lift sanctions, reflecting Israel’s position that nothing short of a total dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program is acceptable, the Asahi said.

But the other problem is if Israel has secret nuclear weapons.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Welcome to Japan Dear Prime Minister. I'm a Shinto, but I truly believe deeply inside that your people is somehow Chosen. Not by a God, but by destiny to become a great nation, the nation you've built since 1948 despite terror threats. Hope the bounds between our both nations grow intense after your visit.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Bibi and Shinzo - kindred spirits.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites