Abe to go ahead with Mideast visit in hopes of defusing tensions

Prime minister heads to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman on Saturday

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani shake hands in Tokyo on Dec. 20. Japan has historically had friendly ties with Iran. © Reuters

SHUNSUKE SHIGETA and YUKI FUJITA, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to proceed with a visit to the Middle East starting Saturday, seeking cooperation from regional leaders to calm the situation after the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general.

Abe will travel to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman through next Wednesday. "I will make every diplomatic effort to ease tensions and stabilize the region," he told reporters Thursday.

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