FILE PHOTO: Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to media at his official residence in Tokyo, Japan November 24, 2021. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS/File Photo

Japan PM to cancel US visit due to Omicron

On Dec 4, 2021

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is likely to cancel a planned trip to the United States for talks with President Joe Biden this month due to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, reports said on Saturday.

Kishida and Biden met in Glasgow last month on the sidelines of the United Nations climate summit, agreeing to meet formally by the end of the year to discuss issues of mutual concern, such as China, reports said.

But given the rapid spread of the new coronavirus variant as well as the U.S. political situation, Kishida is considering rescheduling the meeting after the new year, reports said.

Reuters