Mori skips Norwegian king's reception in unusual move

According to the Mainichi Shimbun daily, Mori's schedule released by his office the previous day had included his participation in the event. "The main guest at the reception is the emperor. The prime minister does not necessarily have to attend. It does not constitute discourtesy to the Norwegian side," Mori's secretary was quoted as saying to the newspaper.

Mori, facing increased opposition at home and likely to step down from office next month, reportedly discussed with the LDP officials the planned presidential election in April which will pick Mori's successor. President of LDP, which is the largest political party, will become Japanese premier. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda on Wednesday defended Mori's decision to skip the reception. "The main guest at the reception was the emperor. The prime minister did not necessarily have to attend, according to protocol," Fukuda said at a Tokyo press conference. The top government spokesman said the premier, "has had back pain since trips to the United States and Russia. He was on foreign visits for six of the last eight days, which I hope will be taken into consideration." The report quoting an expert as saying that it is unusual for prime minister to cancel such an important international event which Japanese Emperor Akihito attended.

The king and queen hosted the reception at the State Guesthouse in Tokyo in return for a welcoming dinner held by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace on Monday night. "What is important is how the king felt. We believe that he was satisfied with the reception though," a top official at Japan's Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying to the newspaper. Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono on Wednesday voiced his hope that Mori's decision not to attend the reception will not affect diplomatic ties with Norway. "We have already explained to the Norwegian side how many political issues the premier currently handles. I would hope they understand," he told at a Cabinet meeting.

The emperor and empress, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and some 200 other guests attended. The Norwegian king and queen arrived in Japan on Sunday as state guests. They are scheduled to leave Japan on Saturday.

(dpa)