Bin Salman Abruptly Cancels Japan Visit... Meeting with Kishida Also Falls Through

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has canceled his scheduled visit to Japan this weekend. Neither Saudi Arabia nor Japan has provided a separate explanation for the suspension of the visit.

On the 18th, Bloomberg News and Asahi Shimbun reported that Crown Prince bin Salman's visit to Japan was halted. It was initially known that Crown Prince bin Salman was coordinating a schedule to visit Japan and hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, but with the cancellation of the Japan visit itself, the meeting was also called off. Additionally, the business forum between Japan and Saudi Arabia, which was scheduled to be held on the 21st, will not take place.

The reason for Crown Prince bin Salman's cancellation of the Japan visit has not been disclosed.

At a press conference that day, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said regarding the related reports, "Nothing has been decided about Crown Prince bin Salman's visit to Japan," adding, "Our country (Japan) places great importance on the relationship with Saudi Arabia, a strategic partner, and we believe it is important for a high-level visit to be realized early when the circumstances of both countries are favorable."

Crown Prince bin Salman visited South Korea the previous day, held talks with President Yoon Suk-yeol, met with business officials, and on the same day visited Bangkok, Thailand, to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.