Abe "Deeply Concerned About Middle East Situation" Maintains Maritime Self-Defense Force Dispatch Policy to Middle East (Comprehensive)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunbyeol Kim] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated on the 6th that he is "deeply concerned about the current situation" amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and the increasingly urgent situation in the Middle East.

According to NHK and other broadcasts, after paying respects at Ise Jingu Shrine in Mie Prefecture that afternoon, Prime Minister Abe said at a New Year's press conference held locally, "We must avoid further deterioration of the situation, and I urge all parties involved to make diplomatic efforts to ease tensions."

He referred to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Japan last month, emphasizing, "We will continue to steadily pursue Japan's unique diplomacy to ease tensions in the region and stabilize the situation."

He also made it clear that there is no change in the policy to dispatch the Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Middle East, saying, "Along with these diplomatic efforts, we will strengthen our intelligence-gathering system by dispatching the Self-Defense Forces to the region to ensure the safe navigation of Japanese-related vessels."

Regarding constitutional revision, he said, "The Liberal Democratic Party will take the lead in raising national discussions and steadily proceed step by step with the constitutional revision process," adding, "There is no wavering in my determination to complete the constitutional revision with my own hands." He further stated, "I want to accelerate the enactment of the revised National Referendum Act as well as the original draft of the constitutional revision through active discussions transcending party lines in the regular Diet session."

Prime Minister Abe also mentioned the revision of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty 60 years ago, emphasizing that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains the foundation of Japan's diplomatic and security policy.

He said, "In an East Asian security environment that is more severe than ever before, it is very important to build close cooperation among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, as well as cooperative relationships with Russia and China."

Regarding North Korea policy, he reiterated the existing stance, saying, "Based on the 2002 Pyongyang Declaration, the policy to resolve all issues and normalize diplomatic relations by overcoming the unfortunate past remains unchanged," and "I intend to meet directly with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un unconditionally to resolve the abduction issue at an early stage."

This was Prime Minister Abe's eighth visit to Ise Jingu Shrine, known as a sacred place for Japan's conservative faction, since he took office for the second time in December 2012. Successive Japanese prime ministers have visited Ise Jingu Shrine at the beginning of the new year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.