Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Japan was decided suddenly earlier this month. "Iran is at odds with the United States and Europe and has no choice but to rely on Japan, the only developed country with which it has a friendly relationship," a Japanese government source said.
In fact, in the process of arranging Rouhani's visit to Japan, Iran reassured Japan by showing its understanding for the dispatch of the Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Middle East. On the other hand, Iran has asked Japan to set an adequate period between Rouhani's visit to Japan and the Cabinet's decision on the dispatch, apparently out of fear of domestic opposition. Showing consideration to Iran, the Japanese government changed the date of the Cabinet decision from Dec. 20 to Dec. 27.
Japan hopes to play its own role by getting involved in Iran, which is becoming increasingly isolated, and by encouraging the easing of tensions. The government plans to explain the details of the meeting to the U.S. side soon, and call for dialogue with Iran and an easing of tensions between the two countries.
Iran, on the other hand, expects Japan to lobby the United States. Iran has been gradually resuming nuclear development since May in reaction to the Trump administration, which withdrew from the nuclear agreement and resumed sanctions. Britain, France and Germany have become increasingly critical of Iran, and no French-led financial assistance has been realized. An aide to Rouhani said: "The main objective is the economy. I hope that Japan will work to ease tensions between Iran and the United States for its long-term interests."
But the Trump administration remains committed to adding "maximum pressure" to Iran. A Japanese senior Foreign Ministry official said, "There is a limit to what can be done because economic assistance cannot be provided due to relations with the United States."
Iran hopes talks lead to ease sanctions
The Rouhani administration highly praised Abe's visit to Iran in June. Rouhani met with the prime minister on the first day, but according to Rouhani's aides, the next day he held a second meeting in secret with Abe, who had just finished a meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Rouhani may have decided to approach Japan to lift U.S. sanctions on the country after Khamenei showed confidence in Abe.
Moderate domestic conservatives, who support the administration, and reformists, whose spiritual pillar is former President Mohammad Khatami, who visited Japan 19 years ago, have shown a relatively flexible attitude toward dialogue with the United States.
On the other hand, the position of conservative hardliners, such as the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is to refuse any dialogue.
The conservative hardliners also blame the economic slump caused by U.S. sanctions on Rouhani's policies. Consumer prices have risen at an annual rate of 40%, and the economic growth rate in 2019 is expected to be minus 9.5%. During the mass worship held in Tehran on Dec. 13, the participants chanted, "Rouhani must accept responsibility for high prices." In November, there were widespread demonstrations across the country against the government's response to higher gasoline prices. Some people have died as a result of the authorities' crackdown, leaving huge scars in the country.
Iran will hold its first parliamentary election in four years in February. If the economic slump continues, conservative moderates and reformists will lose in parliamentary elections and conservative hardliners may win. If that happens, Iran's policies toward the United States could become even harder.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
