Society

Motegi: Japan's response to boycott under review

Dec 12 (NHK) - A senior official of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party says the government will take into consideration the level of the delegation China sent to the Tokyo Olympics in deciding about possibly joining a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Games.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Games. Australia, Britain, and Canada have followed suit.

The Japanese government is reportedly leaning toward not sending Cabinet ministers. It plans to make a final decision as early as the end of the year.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday in Aomori City, LDP Secretary-General and former Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said the government has yet to reach a conclusion.

He said the government understands that China sent its top official of the country's equivalent of the Japanese Olympic Committee to the Tokyo Games.

Motegi said this fact, and how other nations respond, will be taken into consideration. He added that any decision should serve Japan's national interests.

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