TOKYO, Jan. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- The Japanese government Wednesday criticized Iran for restarting nuclear research, calling for a halt and conformity to international rules.

    Japan felt "very regrettable" that Iran had decided to resume nuclear project -- an action which "ignores the concern of the international community," Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said at a press conference.

    "We are urging Iran to halt all the activities linked to the reprocess of uranium enrichment and genuinely abide by the requirement of the IAEA Board resolutions," the top spokesman said.

    Iran removed seals at its Natanz uranium enrichment plant on Tuesday and resumed research on nuclear fuel.

    Teheran maintains that its nuclear project is implemented for peaceful purposes, but the United States and some other countries argue that the research will lead to a nuclearized Iran. Enditem