Abe urges Iran to follow nuclear deal so Japan can boost investment

The leaders of Japan and Iran met Sunday on the sidelines of U.N. meetings in New York, with Tokyo proposing increased investment as an inducement for Tehran implementing a nuclear deal with six major powers, according to Kyodo News Agency.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also agreed to work together toward an early conclusion of recently commenced talks to sign a mutual investment pact, a Japanese official said.

Abe said it was important for Tehran to put into action the accord on the country's nuclear programs reached in July with the U.N. Security Council permanent members, plus Germany, and cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Japanese leader promised that his government would help more Japanese companies launch business in Iran and make contributions to Iranian economic expansion, according to Katsunobu Kato, deputy chief Cabinet secretary.

Rouhani asked Abe for help in increasing settlement with Japanese banks, which is restricted under international sanction measures against Iran's nuclear programs, so Tehran can import more medicine and medical equipment from Japan.

Abe told Rouhani such assistance could be provided as long as Iran fully implemented the nuclear deal, allowing the lifting of economic sanctions by the United States and European countries, according to Kato.

Abe and Rouhani agreed to enhance cultural and academic exchanges between Japan and Iran, Kato added.