As US-Iran Military Conflict Likelihood Decreases, Japanese Prime Minister Abe to Visit Middle East as Scheduled

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has decided to visit the Middle East as originally planned. This appears to be due to the reduced likelihood of military conflict between the United States and Iran. The Japanese government described it as a diplomatic effort to prevent the worsening of the Middle East situation.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the 10th, Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, announced at a regular press conference that Prime Minister Abe will visit three Middle Eastern countries?Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman?from the 11th to the 15th.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga stated, "Amid increasing urgency in the Middle East situation, this is part of Japan's diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration. We will exchange views with the three countries that play an important role in easing regional tensions and stabilizing the situation."

The Japanese government had considered postponing the Middle East visit due to the increased possibility of military conflict between the United States and Iran following the killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force.

However, as Iran notified Iraq in advance and carried out retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases, and U.S. President Donald Trump expressed that he does not want to use military force against Iran, the likelihood of military conflict has decreased, leading to the decision to proceed with the Middle East visit as scheduled.

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