Tehran, April 5, IRNA � Japan�s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is going to visit Iran in August, Japanese media said on Tuesday.


According to Kyodo news agency, the visit will be first to the kind by a Japanese premier to Iran since 1978.

Abe�s visit will serve to boost economic relations between the two countries.

During his four-day stay in Iran, the Japanese senior official will also meet with Iran�s President Hassan Rouhani among others.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida had already said that the government was making necessary preparations for Abe�s upcoming visit.

The visit is to take place following the visit of Chinese president to Tehran, according to the news.

The aim behind the visit of the Japanese premier to Tehran is to broaden economic cooperation and increase import of Iranian crude oil by Japan.

Implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and removal of economic sanctions against Iran, has encouraged Japan to take action in broadening cooperation with Tehran and not to be left behind by its economic rivals such as China.

Commenting on the visit, Iran�s Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh too said earlier that the ground is now prepared for Iran-Japan cooperation in oil refining, LNG, petrochemicals, joint venture investment and project financing.

He said that with lifting of the sanctions, Iran-Japan relations will make remarkable growth.

By IRNA