Abe Cancels Overseas Trip to Focus on Disaster Response

July 9, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided on Monday to cancel his upcoming tour of Europe and the Middle East, putting priority on his government's response to recent deadly rain mainly in western Japan, informed sources said.

Abe conveyed his decision to Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the same day, according to the sources.

The prime minister apparently believes that he would face criticism if he goes on a trip abroad at a time when the death toll from the torrential rain is expected to increase further, the sources said.

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties have been calling on Abe to postpone the overseas trip.

The prime minister was scheduled to visit Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia and Egypt for eight days from Wednesday.

In Brussels, Abe was slated to attend a signing ceremony for an economic partnership agreement for free trade between Japan and the European Union.

At least 89 people have died in the disaster, including 40 in Hiroshima Prefecture and 22 in Ehime Prefecture. Jiji Press