Iranian Parliament Speaker visits Speaker Oshima

On Wednesday, 13 February, Dr. Ali Larijani, Speaker of the Islamic Parliament, Islamic Republic of Iran, who was in Japan at the invitation of the House of Councillors, visited the House of Representatives with his delegation and met with Mr. Tadamori Oshima, Speaker; Mr. Hirotaka Akamatsu, Vice-Speaker; and Ms. Sanae Takaichi, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Rules and Administration.

Speaker Oshima, beginning by welcoming the delegation to Japan, stated that he was pleased at Speaker Larijani visiting Japan for the first time in nine years, and on such an important occasion as the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Iran diplomatic relations. Not only did he appreciate that the current Iranian Government was seeking constructive cooperation with the international community in relation to women's empowerment and the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, he also welcomed continued bilateral exchanges at high levels. He added that he hoped the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries would develop further.

In response, Speaker Larijani, expressing gratitude to Speaker Oshima for his welcome, stated his hope to strengthen economic cooperation between their countries, specifically with further expansion of Japan's support and investment in the areas of infrastructure development, oil and health care.

Other subjects in the meeting included the promotion of exchanges between both parliaments and the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.