Japanese PM may delay US trip

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may postpone his first overseas visit to the United States scheduled in January due to US President Barack Obama's busy agenda of the month, local media reported Monday.

The visit has become difficult because of Obama's busy schedule as he will prepare for his presidential inauguration ceremony set for January 21, Japan's Kyodo News Agency quoted government officials as saying.

Aiming at enhancing Japan-US alliance, the January visit was planned during a telephone talks between the two leaders after Abe reclaimed premiership late December last year.

Abe said many times after becoming Japan's prime minister that the Japan-US relationship remains the core of his country's foreign policies and he will restore the relationship scratched by the issue of relocating a key US air base in Japan's Okinawa.

Japan's Vice-Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai will visit the United States Monday to hold talks with his US counterpart and other officials so as to readjust the time of Abe's US trip.

Meanwhile, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced Monday at a press conference that Abe will not attend the World Economic Forum that to be held from January 23 to 27 in Switzerland's Davos.

It is difficult for the prime minister to participate in the event in consideration of various circumstances, Suga said.