TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on Tuesday discussed the Iran nuclear deal and denuclearization of North Korea.

In their meeting in Tokyo, Abe emphasized that Japan highly evaluates the activities of the IAEA and hopes to continue to cooperate closely with the international body.

Grossi, who took office in December last year after the death of his predecessor from Japan, Yukiya Amano, in July that year, expressed gratitude for the Asian nation's efforts to resolve the two nuclear issues.

Abe showed his country's appreciation for the IAEA's cooperation with a project to decommission Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s <9501> Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, which suffered meltdowns after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Grossi said the IAEA will provide further support while respecting Japan's approach to promoting both postdisaster reconstruction and decommissioning work.

"As the only country atomic-bombed in a war, Japan places a high value on activities of the IAEA, a key to nuclear nonproliferation," Abe said.

In response, Grossi said that the IAEA "enjoys the best of relations" with Japan and their ties are "very intense."

At the meeting, Abe welcomed Grossi's first visit to Japan as IAEA director-general.

JIJI Press