Iran-Japan Joint Chamber of Commerce:
JETRO’s revival offers ‘realistic bridge’ for Tehran-Tokyo trade ties
Even under unilateral sanctions, Iran and Japan can strengthen the infrastructure for future cooperation, said Bahram Shakouri, vice chairman of the Iran-Japan Joint Chamber of Commerce, two weeks after the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Tehran Chamber of Commerce and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Tehran.
“The reopening of JETRO in Iran should not be seen merely as an administrative or symbolic step,” Shakouri told Tasnim News Agency. “JETRO’s reactivation can create a realistic bridge between Iranian and Japanese businesses.”
On December 22, the Tehran Chamber of Commerce and JETRO signed a memorandum of understanding during a high-level meeting in Tehran, where Japanese Ambassador Tamaki Tsukada announced the revival of the economic section of his embassy.
The agreement commits both sides to sustained collaboration in non-sanctioned and emerging sectors, with a focus on maintaining the presence of Japanese firms in Iran, strengthening economic diplomacy, and building institutional frameworks for future expansion of trade relations. It includes plans for reciprocal trade delegations, joint training programs, and business matchmaking events.
The vice chairman of the Iran-Japan Joint Chamber of Commerce told Tasnim that even under ongoing US sanctions, the two countries can strengthen the infrastructure for future cooperation. He noted that Iran’s economy remains under pressure from unilateral sanctions, financial constraints, and reduced diversification of trade partners, while Japan — despite its cautious stance — has maintained a long-term perspective in international engagement. JETRO plays a key role in guiding and supporting Japanese companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that are less dependent on the US market and more flexible in entering markets like Iran.
He emphasized that current trade volumes fall far short of the two countries’ real potential. “Even if JETRO’s revival does not immediately produce numerical leaps, it can upgrade the quality of trade relations — from intermediary-based to institutional and sustainable.”
Areas of cooperation
Shakouri highlighted overlooked opportunities in industry, mining, machinery, agriculture, tourism, and healthcare. “Japan’s cooperation model is based on value-chain integration,” he said. “Iran can supply raw materials, agricultural and food products, while Japan contributes technology, machinery, and technical know-how.”
Beyond traditional sectors, tourism and health offer “significant yet neglected potential” to complement economic ties.
In mining, he pointed to opportunities for boosting productivity and efficiency through advanced technologies, including hydrogen-powered engines and hydrogen fuel systems for machinery — areas where Japan holds valuable experience. “This can pave the way for green production and carbon reduction,” he said.
Regarding industrial and mining machinery, he noted that reputable Japanese brands possess strong capacity to assist in equipment rehabilitation, modernization, technology transfer, and workforce training. “This cooperation need not mean direct imports and can be pursued through lower-risk channels,” Shakouri explained.
Iran currently operates more than 15,000 mining machines, the majority from Komatsu, he added. “With Japanese cooperation, this equipment can be overhauled and upgraded.”
Shadow of unilateral sanctions
The vice chairman of the joint chamber acknowledged that unilateral sanctions will continue to limit the scope of cooperation. “However, activating institutional, academic, and technical infrastructure can prepare the ground for faster relationship growth in the future.”
When asked whether Japan could assume a special role among Iran’s potential trade partners — given Iran’s current reliance almost exclusively on China — Shakouri responded, “Japan can serve as a complementary, high-quality, technology-oriented partner alongside Iran’s other trading allies, and JETRO’s reactivation can be a cornerstone of this path.”
He stressed the century-long history of Iran-Japan commercial ties and Japan’s technological parity with advanced Western nations. “Japan has strong potential to meet part of Iran’s technological and industrial needs and could serve as a substitute for current partners in certain sectors,” he said.