Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has faced mounting criticism for his approach to pandemic

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says arrangements are underway for a visit to Tokyo by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani aimed at helping de-escalate tensions and promoting peace in the Middle East region.

Russia has warned against Japan’s security alliance with the United States, denouncing the move as a threat and an impediment to improving bilateral ties between Tokyo and Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday suggested Russia and Japan sign a peace deal “without any preconditions” by the end of the year to try to solve a long-running territorial dispute.