TEHRAN – Japan’s ambassador to Iran tells the Tehran Times that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian “played an instrumental role in realizing stable relations with Iran’s neighbors and raising the profile of Iran in the region.”

 Tamaki Tsukada also says dialogue between Iranian and Japanese Foreign Ministers deepened the “understanding and trust” between Tehran and Tokyo.

Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian, President Ebrahim Raisi and their entourage lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash in northwestern Iran on May 19.

Ambassador Tsukada says Japan likes to continue to hold frank dialogue on issues of mutual concern with the new Iranian president and foreign minister. 

Following is the text of the interview: 
      
1. What is your feeling about the passing of the Iranian Foreign Minister?

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian. I express my condolences to Iran as a nation to its people, and especially to his family, not only as a representative of the Government of Japan, but also personally. 

Upon receiving the news of their passing, the Emperor of Japan sent a condolatory message to H.E. Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Emperor and Empress of Japan offered flowers. Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, sent a message of condolences to H.E. Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and H.E. Mr. Mohammad Mokhber, the Acting President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan also sent a message of condolences. As indicated by the various forms of condolences expressed, the news came as a great shock to many who had close ties with Iran.

I met Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian for the first-time last December when I presented him the copy of my credentials and conveyed my determination to contribute to the strengthening of Japan-Iran relations. When I underwent a surgery in Iran in February of this year, the Minister himself not only sent me flowers, but also visited my residence with his lovely family. This memory will remain in my heart for the rest of my life. 

2. What is your perspective on his diplomatic legacies?

In August 2023, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian visited Japan and made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Kishida and also had a meeting with then Foreign Minister Yoshimasa HAYASHI, currently the chief cabinet secretary. During his visit, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian made important strides to continue our cooperation and dialogue on various fronts.

After these meetings, two high-level meetings took place one after another. Japan-Iran summit meeting at the margin of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2023, and Japan-Iran Foreign Ministers’ meeting at the margin of the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva in December 2023. 

Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian’s contributions went beyond strengthening relations between Japan and Iran. He played an instrumental role in realizing stable relations with Iran’s neighbors and raising the profile of Iran in the region.

Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian’s visit to Japan and the continued dialogue between the Foreign Ministers of both countries have contributed greatly to strengthening our understanding and trust in each other’s policies and standings. We are committed to carry on his lasting legacies.?

3. How do you assess the future of Iran-Japan relations?

Although Japan and Iran have different positions and approaches on a number of issues, including nuclear, we would like to continue to hold frank dialogues on bilateral and regional issues based on our traditional and trusting relationship with the new President and the Foreign Minister.