Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko held a telephone talk with her Iranian counterpart Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday and asked Iran to help in easing tensions in the Middle East.

After congratulating Araghchi on his appointment as Foreign Minister, Kamikawa expressed “serious concern” over the current deteriorating situation in the Middle East, Japan’s Foreign Ministry reported.

Kamikawa stated that an escalation of the conflicts in the region would also affect the international community as a whole and that every effort should be made to avoid further tensions. She urged Iran to exercise restraint and to “strongly urge restraint on other relevant entities,” such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

Kamikawa also asked for Iran’s help in securing the safety of Japanese nationals in Iran should the situation worsen.

Both sides agreed on the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East and confirmed they would continue to maintain communication.