French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Japan for a visit that initially aimed to strengthen partnerships in nuclear energy and space innovation but will now be dominated by the Middle East war, AFP reports.

The two leaders will discuss “how we can try to find common solutions”, it added.

Japan depends on the Middle East for 95 per cent of its oil imports and has had to dip into strategic stockpiles to temper the impact of rising fuel prices since the start of the war.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to French ambassadors at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France on January 8. — Reuters/File
France’s President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to French ambassadors at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France on January 8. — Reuters/File

Opinion

Editorial

Reflection time
Updated 25 Jun, 2026

Reflection time

Israel is the biggest source of instability in the Middle East, and it is high time the US ended its blind support to Tel Aviv, if it genuinely wants peace in the region.
Raised temperatures
25 Jun, 2026

Raised temperatures

THE fraught situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir requires immense patience and cool heads. Temperatures are raised on...
Debatable remedy
25 Jun, 2026

Debatable remedy

THE Pakistan Psychiatric Society’s challenge to the Federal Shariat Court’s ruling on attempted suicide deserves...
Pezeshkian’s visit
Updated 24 Jun, 2026

Pezeshkian’s visit

Perhaps a good place to start would be the resumption of work on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.
Telecom bill
24 Jun, 2026

Telecom bill

THERE is now no question about it: the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) (Amendment) Bill of 2026 is a...
Updating Islamabad
24 Jun, 2026

Updating Islamabad

ISLAMABAD is growing rapidly. Its planning, however, remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Despite years of ...