US President Barack Obama has canceled a planned meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Last Wednesday, the two spoke by phone. They discussed Obama’s recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Abe had proposed a separate meeting with Obama on the sidelines of the G8 summit, to demonstrate the firm US-Japan alliance.
But Abe confirmed on Monday that the meeting was off. He said Obama may prioritize talks with other leaders that he has not met recently. Analysts see the rejection as a major blow to Abe Cabinet’s diplomacy.