Examining the Relations of Iran and Japan in the Second Pahlavi Period based on The Fourth Development Plan (1968-1972)

The relations between Iran and Japan experienced ups and downs since 1941 due to the tensions caused by World War II. This caused japan to invest in Iran so later after the end of the war even though the country was viewed a model in Asia in recovering its lost power and progress in the economic-industrial structure. The commercial and political relations between Iran and Japan improved to some extent after the peace treaty, but the start of the Fourth Development Plan (1968-1972) provided a good opportunity for japan to find its place in the market of Iran. This study tried to find out that according to the purposes and principles of the Fourth Development Plan, how the industry and technical knowledge was transferred from Japan to Iran in terms of quantity and quality. The study focused on the motivations, contracts, abilities and capabilities of Japan and Iran and evaluated the level of relations regarding economic and cultural exchanges. Relying on the documents, reports of Iran Planning and Budget Organization, negotiations of the National Consultative Assembly, and the newspapers, this study aimed to examine economic policies and descriptively and analytical evaluate these relations and the expansion of relations based on the Fourth Development Plan. The results showed that the mutual relations continued and were expanded due to Iran’s efforts and the need of Iran Planning and Budget Organization for buying equipment, obtaining loans, and benefitting from the technical knowledge of Japanese experts in industry and Japan’s desire to buy oil and the raw materials from Iran and selling the products.