Japan is ready to reduce crude oil imports from Iran to help Washington put pressure on Tehran to give up its nuclear program, Finance Minister Jun Azumi said Thursday in Tokyo.
Speaking at a joint news conference after a one-hour meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Azumi said Japan will further reduce its reliance on Iran, the source of approximately 10 percent of its crude oil supply.
Iran's disputed nuclear program "is a global concern," Azumi said, adding Japan "understands the actions taken by the United States."