Takaichi welcomes US-Iran ceasefire deal, urges final nuclear agreement

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, currently visiting Italy, welcomed the surprise agreement between the United States and Iran on a memorandum of understanding centered on a ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it "one major step toward resolving the situation."

Takaichi posted Monday on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, saying she had "consistently viewed the earliest possible de-escalation as the top priority and pursued diplomatic efforts toward that end."

She said the agreement was "the result of the parties' persistent negotiations aimed at a diplomatic resolution, as well as the efforts of mediating countries." She also urged that free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz be secured as soon as possible, adding that she "strongly hopes a final agreement on Iran's nuclear issue and other matters will be reached at the earliest opportunity."

Speaking to reporters in Rome, Takaichi reiterated Japan's opposition to Iran's nuclear development, noting that Japan is "the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in war."

She said the nuclear issue would be a central agenda item in her meeting that day with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following talks the previous day with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. She also said Japan had been invited to join a joint statement issued by France, Britain, Germany and Italy, and had agreed to do so.

The four European leaders declared in their joint statement that "Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons" and that they were "prepared to lift sanctions on Iran if it takes substantive steps related to its nuclear program."

Japan's Foreign Ministry also welcomed the deal and said it would monitor developments closely. Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said in a statement that Japan would continue its diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East. Senior ministry officials told reporters that the situation warranted caution as to "whether progress toward peace will be sustained," and said the key question going forward was "how the United States will restrain Israel, which is attacking Iran-backed militant groups in Lebanon."

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced Sunday afternoon Eastern time on social media that "a deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran has been finalized." Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the agreement in a television interview, saying "a permanent and immediate ceasefire has been declared on all fronts, including Lebanon."

The agreement has drawn attention to whether Japan might dispatch Self-Defense Forces to the Strait of Hormuz, but the government struck a cautious tone. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru, at his regular press briefing Monday, drew a line on the possibility of a G7 or international request for mine-clearing operations, saying it was "difficult to prejudge future developments" and that "no decision has been made regarding a Self-Defense Forces deployment at this time."