TEHRAN (Iran News) Jack Shiratani dropped 24 points and 16 rebounds with 3 blocks, while Zen Hawkins notched 20 points and 12 rebounds as the two took turns in leading a big second-half surge toward sweeping Group D with a 3-0 card.

Alireza Rashidi had 22 points to lead Iran, who finished second in the group with a 2-1 record. Safa Behnia had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists while Yasin Morovat Halabi added 14 and 7 rebounds in the loss.

The Quarter-Finals are set on September 5 also at the MBank Arena – the venue of the entire Final Phase – where Japan will face the winner between the no. 2 team of Group B and Group A’s third-ranked side.

Young Team Melli will have to go through the Qualification to Quarter-Finals on September 4 against the team finishing third in Group C, which consists of New Zealand (2-0), Chinese Taipei, Philippines, and Indonesia.

Clinching third Group D, meanwhile, are Kazakhstan after a tight 53-49 win over Saudi Arabia.

Alireza Rashidi had 22 points to lead Iran, who finished second in the group with a 2-1 record. Safa Behnia had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists while Yasin Morovat Halabi added 14 and 7 rebounds in the loss.

The Quarter-Finals are set on September 5 also at the MBank Arena – the venue of the entire Final Phase – where Japan will face the winner between the no. 2 team of Group B and Group A’s third-ranked side.” Asia Cup 2025″

Young Team Melli will have to go through the Qualification to Quarter-Finals on September 4 against the team finishing third in Group C, which consists of New Zealand (2-0), Chinese Taipei, Philippines, and Indonesia.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) According to a statement from TCCIMA’s public relations office, the meeting focused on fostering constructive dialogue and exploring potential areas for collaboration. Mahmoud Najafi-Arab, President of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the history of positive economic and investment ties between the two countries. However, he acknowledged that due to international sanctions, Japanese companies have exercised increased caution in their dealings with Iran, resulting in a decline in economic engagement in recent years.

Najafi-Arab stressed that the current conditions are not permanent and urged Japanese companies to establish their presence in Iran’s market early on. He proposed that continuous engagement between TCCIMA and JETRO’s Tehran office could help identify mutual economic opportunities. He also expressed TCCIMA’s readiness to sign a formal cooperation agreement with JETRO, pointing to promising fields for collaboration such as pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, automotive industries, education, and startups. He further suggested initiating formal communication between TCCIMA and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Fereydoun Verdinejad, Secretary-General of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, also voiced the Chamber’s commitment to strengthening ties with JETRO. He emphasized the need for mechanisms to facilitate information exchange between Iranian and Japanese companies and economic actors. Verdinejad added that TCCIMA could serve as a platform for transferring Japanese technical and managerial knowledge to the Iranian business community.

Nobutaka Makawa, Executive Vice President of JETRO, welcomed the proposal to sign a cooperation agreement and stressed the importance of carefully reviewing its terms. He expressed satisfaction with the Tehran Chamber’s proactive approach and affirmed JETRO’s intent to deepen its cooperation with TCCIMA as part of broader efforts to expand Japan-Iran economic interactions.

The meeting concluded on a positive and constructive note, with both sides agreeing to continue consultations aimed at identifying and pursuing joint economic opportunities.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Ambassador Tamaki emphasized that Japan remains committed to fostering a strong and enduring partnership with Iran, stating that the Japanese embassy in Tehran is actively working to establish the necessary infrastructure for the resumption of normal economic exchanges between the two countries.

This marks the Ambassador’s first visit to Qom, having served 37 years in the diplomatic corps. He noted that his initial perception of Qom was solely as a religious and cultural center. However, the exhibition of Qom’s capabilities at the Chamber of Commerce broadened his understanding of the province’s extensive production and industrial capacities.

Addressing Iran’s place in Japan’s trade outlook, Ambassador Tamaki emphasized the country’s substantial economic potential. He noted that prominent Japanese companies are well aware of Iran’s economic strength, and unlike some European firms that have scaled back their activities in Iran in recent years, they continue to maintain a presence in the country.

Ambassador Tamaki also expressed optimism for positive developments in Iran’s relations with the international community in 2025, assuring that Japan will utilize its full capacity to accelerate this trend.

Highlighting the importance of trade and international exhibitions in strengthening the relationship between the two nations, Ambassador Tamaki regretted the absence of official Iranian governmental participation in Expo 2025 Osaka. He stated that Japan views active participation in such events as crucial for showcasing Iran’s economic and industrial capacities. Despite the lack of official government involvement, the Japanese embassy has indicated its readiness to provide extensive support to facilitate the participation of Iranians in the international exhibition.

Furthermore, Ambassador Tamaki detailed the Japanese embassy’s initiatives to bolster trade relations between the two countries. He reiterated that the embassy is focused on creating the required infrastructure to normalize economic exchanges between Iran and Japan. He underscored Japan’s unwavering dedication to a long-term collaborative approach with Iran.

This visit and the Ambassador’s remarks signify a crucial step in reinforcing the Japan-Iran economic relationship. The emphasis on economic cooperation, coupled with the willingness to assist with Iranian participation in Expo 2025, underscores Japan’s sustained interest in maintaining and expanding its ties with Iran despite the complex international landscape. This commitment provides a positive signal for future economic collaborations between the two countries, with a particular focus on harnessing Iran’s considerable economic capacity.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Economic experts criticized the decision, calling it a “self-imposed sanction” that could harm Iran’s opportunity to showcase its capabilities on the global stage. Participants urged reconsideration of the withdrawal and emphasized the need for Iran to leverage such platforms for international engagement.

Ghadir Qiafeh, Vice President of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, expressed dismay over the decision, calling it a step backward in development. “For the first time in nearly 200 years, Iran is not participating in an expo. These events document the history and future of nations. We must explore every avenue for participation,” he said, stressing collective efforts to enable private-sector involvement in Japan Expo.

Hossein Selahvarzi, President of the Iran-Japan Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the benefits of the expo despite existing sanctions. He noted that the six-month-long event offers a platform for showcasing Iran’s capabilities to a global audience. He affirmed the readiness of the Chamber to organize side events or other creative means to ensure Iran’s representation.

“Despite sanctions, we’ve maintained trade ties through intermediaries and fostered strong cultural, technological, and educational collaborations. This decision jeopardizes our international connections,” he added, underscoring the importance of preserving Iran’s global presence.

The meeting revealed disagreements between Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage over who should lead the country’s participation in the expo. This conflict resulted in the withdrawal decision, which Selahvarzi described as a move toward international isolation.

Maryam Jalali, Deputy for Handicrafts at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, suggested finding creative solutions for participation, such as organizing cultural events or collaborating with Persian-speaking nations.

Participants argued that the private sector should step up if the government remains unwilling to engage. Sadina Abai, Chair of the ICT Commission at the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, suggested leveraging connections with Persian-speaking countries like Tajikistan to ensure representation.

Mohammad Lahouti, Chair of the Export Development Commission, acknowledged the difficulties in reversing the government’s decision but stressed the importance of presenting Iran effectively if it does participate. “Quality matters more than mere attendance,” he said.

Reza Padidar, Chair of the Commission on Standards and Sustainability, emphasized that exhibitions like the Japan Expo play a critical role in fostering national development. “With unity, the private sector can ensure Iran’s participation, even under challenging circumstances,” he stated.

Bahar Shakoori, Vice President of the Iran-Japan Chamber of Commerce, criticized the government’s lack of consultation with the private sector before withdrawing. “The Expo is a platform for dialogue with the world and an opportunity to define our role in shaping the future. If the government won’t act, the private sector stands ready to ensure meaningful participation.”

As the Japan Expo approaches, stakeholders remain hopeful for a reconsideration or alternative strategies to secure Iran’s place in this global event.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In a ceremony on Sunday morning at the venue of Japan’s embassy in Tehran, the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an exchange of notes to implement the project.

The grant aid was provided with the title of Project for Developing Conservation Systems of Wetlands in Lake Urmia and Other Wetlands including their Surrounding Communities.

The allocated budget size is 690 million yen and the project site is Lake Urmia in the provinces of East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan, Shadegan wetland in Khuzestan province, Parishan wetland in Fars province, and Anzali wetlands in Gilan province.

The project will develop irrigation systems that respond appropriately to climate change and install water management systems. It would also create sustainable industries such as ecotourism for environmental protection and economic development in the areas surrounding these wetlands.

During the signing ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Tehran Tsukada Tamaki, Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP Gullbahor Nematova, and the representative of Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE) delivered separate speeches.

“Over the past ten years, the unwavering support from the People and the Government of Japan has positively impacted agricultural productivity and enhanced livelihoods in target communities. In the next four years, we will continue promoting innovative, water-efficient agricultural practices, while emphasizing scaling up for a better future for all,” Nematova said.

Speaking at the ceremony, the ambassador of Japan underlined that Iran has 26 valuable wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention, including Lake Urmia, adding that these wetlands, which are home to diverse species and migratory birds, must be conserved in cooperation with the international community.

Over the past 10 years, Japan has provided support for Lake Urmia conservation, but in order to further restore the wetland, it is essential to manage uncontrollable water extraction, develop an irrigation system that appropriately responds the climate change, and create sustainable industries such as eco-tourism, he said.

He expressed hope that the new project signed today will contribute to the environmental protection and economic development of the areas around the wetlands.

Iran has spent heavily on infrastructure projects in recent years to prevent Lake Urmia, Iran’s largest salt lake, from drying up.

Lake Urmia, located in the northwest of Iran, was once the most extensive permanent hypersaline lake in the world.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In a message issued on Sunday, Araghchi thanked the Japanese audience for reading Mr. Taishi (Mr. Ambassador or 大使 in Japanese) which narrates four years of his posting as Iran’s ambassador to Japan between 2008 and 2011.

“This is an honor that you chose this book for reading … I am thankful to Mr. Inami Takahiro for his masterly translation of the book,” said the minister.

Iran’s embassy in Japan also posted a combo picture of the book’s covers in Japanese and in Persian, saying, “FM Araghchi’s diaries weave a tapestry of amity between the two great nations.”

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The exhibition is being conducted following an initiative by the Asian Mayors Forum, in cooperation with the Tehran Municipality, the Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway Operation Company (TUSROC), and Japan’s embassy in Tehran, according to IRNA’s report on Saturday.”Metro ”

Enthusiasts can visit the exhibition at the Jahad Square and Tajrish Square stations of the Tehran subway.

At the opening ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Tehran Tsukada Tamaki stated that the aim of the exhibition is to familiarize Iranians with Japanese culture.

He appreciated TUSROC for providing the venue for the exhibition.

According to the ambassador, another exhibition is slated for the upcoming days in Tehran in which some Japanese movies will be screened.

Enthusiasts can visit the exhibition at the Jahad Square and Tajrish Square stations of the Tehran subway.

At the opening ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Tehran Tsukada Tamaki stated that the aim of the exhibition is to familiarize Iranians with Japanese culture.

He appreciated TUSROC for providing the venue for the exhibition.

At the opening ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Tehran Tsukada Tamaki stated that the aim of the exhibition is to familiarize Iranians with Japanese culture.

He appreciated TUSROC for providing the venue for the exhibition.

According to the ambassador, another exhibition is slated for the upcoming days in Tehran in which some Japanese movies will be screened.

Enthusiasts can visit the exhibition at the Jahad Square and Tajrish Square stations of the Tehran subway.

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