Iran and Japan Relations in a Transitional World Order
Javad Heiran-Nia
Both the Japanese and Iranian foreign policies are under evolution. Given the changing global security environment, their foreign policy approach toward each other is continuously changing, and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy is certainly one important factor that shapes Japanese foreign policy towards Iran as well as the Middle East. Iran, on its part, is strengthening its ties with China and North Korea which is concerning for Japan.
This issue brief sheds light on the mutual perception and misperception of Iran and Japan towards each other and how they aim to navigate the difficult terrain to maintain a relationship. Japan has adopted a pragmatic orientation towards the Middle East, and Iran constitutes the core of this pragmatism even though Tokyo’s foreign policy thinking is aligned with the American policy outlook on Iran.
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