Japan PM: Iran Must Never be Allowed to Develop Nuclear Weapons; Ishiba Aims to Coordinate with U.S. to Reach Agreement on Tariff Measures

By Masashi Nakata and Akihisa Ota Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers

12:23 JST, June 18, 2025 (updated at 16:48 JST)

CALGARY — Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized the importance of diplomacy when speaking about the tense situation in the Middle East at a press conference in Calgary on Tuesday.

“Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons,” he said, after the conclusion of this year’s meeting of the Group of Seven nations.

Ishiba held a series of bilateral meetings with the leaders of six countries on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

“I was able to build personal relationships of trust” with the leaders, Ishiba said.

“We will devote our utmost efforts to diplomacy aimed at deepening multilayered cooperation with our allies and like-minded nations in order to safeguard Japan’s independence and peace, as well as protect the lives of its people,” he added.

On the issue of the Japan-U.S. talks on U.S. tariff measures, Ishiba said, “We will continue to actively coordinate with the United States to achieve an agreement that protects Japan’s national interest and is beneficial to both countries.”

When he spoke about the possibility of opposition parties submitting a no-confidence motion against his Cabinet, Ishiba indicated his opposition to dissolving the House of Representatives during the current Diet session, which is scheduled to end Sunday. He said he would do everything in his power to ensure that the government is functioning properly in order to address any urgent issues.

Ishiba has instructed the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to examine a cash handout of ¥20,000 per person as a measure against high prices, while opposition parties have advocated for a reduction in consumption tax.

Ishiba said a cash handout can be implemented more quickly than a tax cut and is far more effective.