Abe's sudden cancellation of his trip to the Middle East. Former JapaneseMinister of Defense opposes: He could have been there

Abe (Sankei Shimbun)

Overseas Network January 9th- In the early morning of January 8,after Iran launched a missile attack on an American military base in Iraq,Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe temporarily cancelled his trip to the MiddleEast originally scheduled for this weekend. In response, Ono Temple, aformer Japanese defense minister, said in a TV show on the same day: "Ithink he (Abe) is better off going to the Middle East. It is very important toconvey the message of peace."

According to Japan's Sankei Shimbun, this month 12 From 15th to 15th, due tothe assassination of General Sulaymani of Iran, the US-Iranian relationship wassuddenly tense, and Abe originally planned to visit the Kingdom of SaudiArabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Ono-ji Temple told reportersthat the US military is stationed in these three countries and Iran has seenthis. Prime Minister Abe's visit can send a signal of hope for peace inthe Middle East, which is of great significance.

Speaking of Iran's attack on U.S. military facilities in Iraq, Onoji said:"The response is too fast. This will bring chaos to the country." In

view of the growing tension in the Middle East, the Japanese government decidedon the 8th to cancel the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to theMiddle East. Countries. In an interview with reporters on the afternoon ofthe 8th, Abe said: "In order to avoid deterioration of the situation,Japan will make every diplomatic effort." In the

early morning of the 8th local time, several missiles were launched from Iran,targeting some US military forces in western and northern Iraq. Facilitiesinclude facilities in Erbil, northern Iraq (where the U.S. Consulate islocated), and Assad Air Base in western Iraq. Iran said the attack was inretaliation for the US assassination of Suleimani.

On the same day, the Iranian military issued a hard-lined statement warning theUnited States that the Iranian military would take a tougher response if it didbad things to Iran again.

After the incident, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Japan helda meeting on Japanese national security from 11 am local time. Relevantcabinet members conducted an urgent analysis of the situation in the MiddleEast and discussed Japan's next response plan.

(Original title: Abe abruptly canceled a Middle East tour in Japan againstformer Defense Minister: He can do)