Need to Tone Down Expectations From Rouhani’s Japan Visit

Expectations from President Hassan Rouhani’s upcoming visit to Japan should be toned down because Tokyo cannot play the role of a mediator between Tehran and Washington without the approval of the conflicting parties, a political analyst says. 
"Proposals related to Iran-US relations may be put forward and discussed during the trip, but the reality is that the Americans say there is no need for mediation to resolve bilateral issues," Hassan Beheshtipour told ISNA in a recent interview. 
Rouhani is to arrive in Tokyo on Thursday for a two-day visit and is slated to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday.
The trip, which will be the first such trip in two decades, will take place after Rouhani visits Malaysia for a Muslim leaders’ summit in Kuala Lumpur.