TOKYO, March 31, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Japan on Tuesday for a visit that initially aimed to strenghthen partnerships in nuclear energy and space innovation but will now be dominated by the Middle East war. Japan depends on the Middle East for 95 percent of its oil imports and has had to dip into strategic stockpiles to temper the impact of rising fuel prices since the start of the war. Among expectations for the talks was "continued communication" with a view towards the "calming down of the situation in Iran", the official said. Macron and his wife Brigitte are due to have lunch with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Thursday. He will be in Japan until April 2, and he will then visit South Korea at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 31, 2026 09:42 UTC