Japan’s Prime Minister Abe due in Tehran on historic visit

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is en route to Iran on a first visit by a Japanese premier to Tehran in more than 40 years.

According to the reports, Prime Minister Abe left Tokyo for Tehran on Wednesday morning.

During his two-day visit to Iran, Abe will meet President Hassan Rouhani. He is scheduled to meet with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters before boarding his plane for Tehran, Abe said, "Based on traditional friendly ties between Japan and Iran, I would like to have candid exchanges of opinions” with the Iranian president and Ayatollah Khamenei.”

SS