「日本ならではの努力尽くす」　安倍首相、イラン大統領来日へ決意

　安倍晋三首相は９日の記者会見で、イランのロウハニ大統領の来日に向け、調整を進めていることを明らかにした。その上で「米国と同盟関係があり、イランと良好な関係を維持してきた日本ならではのかじ取りが求められている。粘り強く対話を行うことで、外交努力を尽くしたい」と述べ、米イランの橋渡しに努める決意を示した。
　ロウハニ氏は今月後半に来日する方向だ。首相は、２０日の閣議決定を目指す自衛隊の中東派遣に関して「自民、公明両党の議論も十分踏まえ、対応を決めていきたい」と述べた。（2019/12/09-21:16）

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday emphasized his determination to mediate between the United States and Iran.
   Noting at a press conference that preparations are under way for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to visit Japan, Abe said, "Japan, which is an ally of the United States and maintains amicable relations with Iran, needs to play its role" as a bridge between the two countries.
   "I'd like to make full diplomatic efforts by tenaciously engaging in dialogue," he said. In June, Abe visited Iran and held talks with Rouhani and Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
   Rouhani is slated to visit Japan later this month.
   Abe said he will make a decision on a plan to dispatch Self-Defense Forces troops for a mission to secure sea lane safety, based on sufficient discussions by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, Komeito. He aims to make a cabinet decision Dec. 20 on the SDF dispatch.