According to the Kyodo news agency, earlier on Friday, Abe held consultations regarding his possible visit to Tehran with US National Security Advisor John Bolton.
The Japanese prime minister initially planned to visit Iran last summer but decided to refrain from this trip due to escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran after the unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal by the US.
READ MORE: Japan Not Expecting Any Meetings With Iranian Leadership in Near Future — FM
Abe's possible trip will be the first such visit since 1978. Japan expects that the visit will help ease tensions between Iran and the United States.
US-Iran tensions flared up last year when the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. On 8 May, Iran announced its own decision to partially discontinue some of its obligations under the nuclear agreement.
Despite the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, Japan considers it necessary for all sides to implement the nuclear deal.
