Javad Owji, in a meeting with Nishimura Yasutoshi, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan on Wednesday, stated that this is his first visit to Japan, adding: “Japanese companies are very well-known in Iran and the Iranian people specially regard the Japanese.”

He stated the purpose of his trip to Japan was to attend Shinzo Abe's memorial ceremony, participate in the Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting (AGGPM) and meet with some large Japanese companies, and added: “Mr. Abe is a respected and influential figure in the field of Japanese politics and economy and his trip to Iran in 2018 was a turning point in the relations between the two countries.”

Stating that the leaders of the two countries recently met in New York he added: “We have examined the fields of cooperation in the meeting with Japanese companies and are trying to expand them.”

Owji added: “The Iranian people will never forget the memory of the Japanese Oil Refining Company (Idemitsu), which bought oil from Iran during the embargo on the sale of Iranian oil due to the nationalization of the oil industry.”

Stating that Iran can play an important role in providing the energy needed by Japan, Mr. Owji clarified: “The unprecedented drop and low level of trade and economic cooperation caused by the unilateral and cruel sanctions of the United States is not worthy of the two countries.”

The Iranian petroleum minister emphasized Iran's readiness to develop cooperation in the oil and gas sector with Japan, and added: “Iran's oil industry needs $160 billion of investment in the oil, gas, refinery and petrochemical sector in the next eight years.”

Stating that there is a possibility of cooperation between Iran and Japan in the field of optimization and training under the sanctions, Owji said: “There are very high capacities for Japanese companies to cooperate with Iran from upstream to downstream.”

Not Delayed by JCPOA Talks

Referring to the signing of $100 billion worth of contracts and memorandums of understanding with foreign and domestic companies under the 13th administration, he said: "The Ministry of Petroleum has not been delayed by the outcome of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks and has started initial negotiations with foreign parties, and these negotiations are progressing well."

Emphasizing that Iran welcomes cooperation with Japanese companies that have the necessary experience and technical knowhow in the field of optimizing energy consumption and reducing carbon emissions, collecting flare gases, etc., he said: “Any company that invests in this sector can take away half of the volumes it produces.”

Cooperation under Sanctions

Nishimura Yasutoshi, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, in this meeting, referred to the good relations between the two countries and Iran's high cultural history, and said: “Iran is an important country in the region and the world, and Japan is interested in strengthening relations with Iran.”

Recalling that he is the secretary of the Iran-Japan Friendship Group and has traveled to Iran since he was a student, he clarified: “The late Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, had special respect for Iran.”

The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan expressed regret for the withdrawal of the country from the Azadegan Field development project, and said: “The Japanese government has always supported the JCPOA and hopes that the negotiations will be concluded as soon as possible and that Japan will be able to cooperate with Iran, especially in the oil and gas sector.”

Emphasizing that the Japanese government encourages companies to operate in Iran, Yasutoshi added: "Even in the conditions of sanctions, there are good opportunities for cooperation, especially in the field of optimizing energy consumption, collecting associated gases, etc."

Stating that many Japanese companies kept their offices in Tehran and are present in Iran, he said: “This shows the importance of interaction with Iran for Japanese companies.”