Japan values its ties with Iran: Japanese official

TEHRAN, Dec.4 (MNA) -- Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Yutaka Yokoi said that Japan places high significance on its relations with Iran. He made the remarks in Tokyo on Saturday in which he noted that Iran and Japan have a very long history of relations dating back 2000 years. He added that the Japanese people have a positive view of the Iranian people. Yokoi also thanked the Iranian nation for the humanitarian assistance delivered to the country after the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, which also caused a nuclear crisis, and said the Japanese people will never forget the generous support that Iran provided. Commenting on Tehran-Tokyo economic ties, he stated that external factors must be taken into consideration. The economic crisis that began in the United States and Europe two years ago has expanded and caused a recession in other parts of the world, so it is not reasonable to isolate countries at this point in time, he said. He also expressed hope that Japan and Iran would increase their cooperation in the future, adding that Japan would like to see Iran improve its economic situation. In reply to a question asking if pressure imposed by the United States would have an effect on relations between Japan and Iran, he said that all countries interact with each other and this cannot be denied, and Iran-Japan ties are historic and longstanding and have their roots in the sentiments of the two peoples.