Central Japan's Aichi Prefecture canceled an event aimed at promoting this year's Asian Games in China, after the Chinese organizers abruptly canceled their attendance.
The governor of Aichi has suggested that China's no-show reflects its discontent with the recent Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima.
The promotional event was planned for this coming weekend in Nagoya, Aichi's prefectural capital. Delegates from the organizing committee of the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou were scheduled to attend.
But Aichi prefectural officials say they were informed by the Chinese side on Monday that the visit had been canceled.
Aichi Governor Ohmura Hideaki told reporters that the prefecture asked the Chinese organizing committee and the Olympic Council of Asia to explain why the visit had been canceled. But he said no reason was given.
The governor noted that, following the G7 Hiroshima Summit, China summoned the Japanese ambassador in Beijing and expressed its discontent. He said it can be assumed that the summit had an impact.
Aichi Prefecture organized the PR event, as it is the main host of the 2026 Asian Games. Those games will follow this year's event in Hangzhou.