Iran-Japan Ties Not To Be Influenced By Bullying Powers : Rafsanjani

Tehran, Oct 16, IRNA – Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani here on Tuesday stressed that the excessive demands of bullying powers should not affect Tehran-Tokyo relations. Rafsanjani made the remarks in a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Iran Kinichi Kumano. Referring to several cultural and social common points shared by the two nations, he described Tehran-Tokyo ties as strategic and ancient. Following the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran has attached great importance to expansion of ties with eastern counties, China and Japan in particular, Rafsanjani said. Condemning anti-Iran sanctions by certain western states, he said Tehran expects Tokyo not to be affected by the illegal demands of bullying powers. Kumano, for his part, praised the existing profound cultural and social cooperation between the two nations. He said Tokyo has resisted against pressures of certain countries to restrict its relation with Tehran, adding that such a move by Japan is not only for the sake of its friendly ties with Tehran but also for its need to Iran's oil, trade and economy./end