Japan to put off sending officials to Beijing Olympics, NHK says (updated)
23/12/2021 23:07
(Adds details)
TOKYO, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Japan is likely to shelve plans to
send officials to the Winter Games in Beijing next year and will
make an announcement as early as Friday, public broadcaster NHK
said.
The United States and other Western countries have announced
a diplomatic boycott of the Games over concerns about human
rights in China but Japan has so far taken a softer tone.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said this month he does not
plan to attend the Games, which are due to start in February.
The issue illustrates Tokyo's delicate position as a close
ally of the United States that is also heavily reliant on China
for trade and as a manufacturing base.
Kishida has faced rising pressure within his ruling Liberal
Democratic Party to take a tougher stance on China, NHK said.
(Reporting by David Dolan; Editing by Chris Reese and Ken
Ferris)
((david.dolan@tr.com; +81 3 6441 1526; Reuters Messaging:
david.dolan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))