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Abe praises Trump statement on Iran as self-restraining

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised on Thursday US President Donald Trump's statement about the Iranian situation. (AFP)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised on Thursday US President Donald Trump's statement about the Iranian situation. (AFP)
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09 Jan 2020 01:01:57 GMT9
09 Jan 2020 01:01:57 GMT9

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised on Thursday US President Donald Trump's statement about the Iranian situation as a "self-restraining response."

"Japan has strongly called for self-restraint by all parties concerned. Japan's stance is to praise a self-restraining response," Abe told reporters.

At a news conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, "The president's remark that he does not want to exercise military power will contribute to easing regional tensions."

Abe said, "We'll continue to make every diplomatic effort in order to achieve stability in the regional situation."

Some in the government call for a postponement of Abe's planned five-day trip to three Middle Eastern nations from Saturday, but Abe has reserved judgment on the issue.

Suga said the government will make a decision after analyzing the local situations. The government is expected to make a final decision later on Thursday at the earliest.

In a speech on Wednesday, Trump said he does not want to use military force further against Iran, after Tehran launched ballistic missile attacks on bases in Iraq that house US troops earlier in the day in retaliation for the US airstrike that killed a top Iranian commander.

With Iran making it clear that it is not seeking a war, it is widely believed that an all-out military conflict between the two countries will be avoided for the time being.

Shigeru Kitamura, head of Japan's National Security Secretariat, exchanged opinions with Robert O'Brien, national security adviser to Trump, in the United States on Wednesday. Kitamura and O'Brien also took part in a three-way meeting with their South Korean counterpart, Chung Eui-yong.

JIJI Press

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