Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Iran on Wednesday for a two-day trip,... becoming the first Japanese leader to visit since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.<br />Citing high-level Iranian officials,... Reuters reported Tehran would ask Tokyo to mediate between Iran and the U.S. amid tensions over Washington's oil sanctions on the country.<br />The Iranian government,... however,... made it clear that Abe's visit was planned in advance and will be a crucial opportunity to build friendly ties between the two countries.<br />The visit is crucial for Japan as the country imports nearly all of its oil, mostly from the Middle East,... and must tread a fine line as it doesn't want to anger Washington,... its strongest ally and security partner.<br />
