Japan wants to import Iranian crude oil despite US sanctions

Photo: MEHR

According to MEHR news agency on August 11, that was the statement made by Mr. Aso during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Japan Morteza Rahmani Movahhed.

“In negotiations with the US government, the Japanese government emphasized maintaining historical relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and also continuing to trade oil with Iran in a significant manner,” the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister said.

Also related to this issue, last week, Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko announced that Japan will continue negotiations with the US on the possibility of a sanctions exemption on Iranian oil imports.

Japan's oil imports from Iran during January-June 2018 reached 162,222 barrels per day, down 2.7% year-on-year.

In addition, oil imports from Iran in the first six months of this year accounted for 5.3% of Japan's total oil imports.

For his part, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Japan Morteza Rahmani Movahhed pointed out the progress and trust in bilateral relations between Iran and Japan over the past four decades, and affirmed: “Iran considers the Japanese government and people to be of great importance.”

He appreciated the Japanese government's support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), adding: "Economic activists of the two countries expect the Iranian government and the Japanese government to support bilateral trade and business relations."

During this bilateral meeting, the two sides particularly emphasized the importance of significantly strengthening historical and economic relations.