In a statement Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Shoichi Nakagawa said, “Japan has no intention of changing its policy of pursuing an oil development deal with Iran due to a US request to reconsider our investment.”
“We won’t say we’ll give up just because we were asked to do so. There will be no policy reversal at the current stage,” added Nakagawa.
Such strong words from Japan come on the back of a call by US Secretary of State Colin Powell who earlier said, “The United States hopes Japan will take into account Tehran’s suspected nuclear arms development in tacitly urging Tokyo to reconsider the oil deal with Iran.”
“I would hope that the Japanese government, Japanese business, would take this into account as they make judgments as to whether this is the place that one should be making investments in or doing this kind of energy business with,” added Powell, referring to the February Japan-Iran agreement to develop the Azadegan oil field in southern Iran.
However, Nakagawa added diplomatic ties between Japan and the US are still on-going. According to the Minister, “Tokyo will stay in close contact with Washington in proceeding with the oil deal and in dealing with Iran’s suspected nuclear development.”
“We can’t just disregard the nuclear problem,” he added.
