Takaichi lauds Islamabad’s role

Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi held telephonic talks on Monday with her Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif and expressed support for his mediation efforts for hosting US-Iran talks in Islamabad.

Takaichi said she reiterated Japan’s position ‘what is most important is to promptly reach a final agreement and to de-escalate the situation thro­ugh talks to ensure safe passages through the strait’.

“Sharif said Pakistan hopes to cooperate with Japan in the effort,” Takaichi said.

She said it was essential to reach a final agreement at an early date through talks.

“I explained that Japan has thus far maintained communications at the summit level with both the US and Iran, and has been intensifying diplomatic efforts towards the early de-escalation of the situation,” she said.

Merz relief: Germany will cut energy taxes on diesel and gas for two months to mitigate high prices linked to the Iran war. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that the 17-cent reduction would “very quickly improve the situation” for drivers and businesses.