Japan Lifts Nuclear Sanctions Against Iran

On January 22, following the implementation of the JCPOA and the lifting of international sanctions against Iran's nuclear program, the Japanese government lifted its sanctions and restrictions against Tehran. Yoshihide Suga, the spokesperson for the Japanese government, stated during a press conference that Tokyo "wants to further enhance its relations and cooperation with Iran and contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East through traditional and friendly relations between the two countries." According to Reuters, with the lifting of sanctions, Japanese insurers will be able to insure transactions with Iran, and companies from that country can participate in new oil and gas projects. Tokyo and Tehran are also expected to sign a new trade agreement. Advanced companies from the world's third-largest economy are preparing to return or enter Iran. On Thursday, Suzuki Motor Corporation announced that it is assessing the conditions for returning to the Iranian market. Before the implementation of the nuclear agreement on January 15, both sides had taken measures to enhance their relations. Last summer, a month after the nuclear agreement in Vienna, an economic delegation from Japan visited Iran. The Japanese foreign minister also traveled to Tehran shortly after. During the intense negotiations surrounding the nuclear talks, the Iranian government had requested Japan to increase its cooperation in peaceful nuclear technology. Japan extensively uses nuclear facilities for energy production and possesses advanced technology in this field. Following international sanctions as well as unilateral sanctions from the U.S. and the West, Japan, one of Iran's main oil customers, reduced its energy imports from Iran. Over the past years, the cessation of cooperation from some refineries and insurance companies was among the other restrictions that Tokyo imposed on Tehran. The United Nations Security Council, along with the U.S., the European Union, and some of their allies, imposed extensive sanctions against Iran in previous years due to doubts regarding the military nature of the country's nuclear program. Iran has always emphasized that its nuclear program does not have military objectives. Ultimately, the nuclear agreement and the implementation of the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action during Hassan Rouhani's administration ended the nuclear sanctions.