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Elizabeth Burch on the Dark Side of the Tort Bar Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday she will consider holding talks with the Iranian leadership at an “appropriate” time based on the national interest as tensions remain high in the Middle East.
Takaichi’s remarks come as prospects for a US-Iran meeting mediated by Pakistan remain uncertain, with US President Donald Trump later renewing threats to hit Iranian energy infrastructure if a deal is not reached.
“I will judge the appropriate timing for holding talks based on the national interest from a comprehensive standpoint,” Takaichi told a session of the House of Representatives’ Budget Committee.
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Since the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran late last month, Tokyo has sought to strike a delicate balance between maintaining its security alliance with Washington and its traditionally friendly relations with Tehran.
Stability in the Middle East is vital for Japan, which relies on the region for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports.
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Most of them pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy shipments. But Iran has effectively blocked the strait, fuelling oil supply concerns and triggering soaring prices.
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