Japan's Mori stands up Norwegian royals

Mori: blamed tiredness for latest controversy

TOKYO, Japan -- Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, already beset by scandals and gaffes, was again under fire for skipping a banquet hosted by the visiting Norwegian king and queen.

Instead, the prime minister opted to have sushi with colleagues.

Norway's King Harald V and Queen Sonja, who arrived in Japan Sunday for a week-long stay, had invited Mori and Japanese Emperor Akihito for their Tuesday evening affair at the state guest house.

Mori's spokesman Kazuhiko Koshikawa said the prime minister instead dined at a sushi restaurant with a group of young lawmakers.

He said Mori, worn out by his visits to the U.S. and Russia, had only wanted to grab a quick meal and get some rest.

"Besides, the guest of honor was the emperor, not the prime minister," Koshikawa said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda added that Mori had hurt his back during his trips this month to Russia and the U.S.

Fukuda also stressed that the emperor was the main guest, and that Mori was not required by banquet etiquette to attend.

Political turmoil

Norwegian officials, however, were told differently.

"A Japanese Foreign Ministry official called just before the short concert was to begin, saying that (Mori) couldn't come," said Ami Semba, a Norwegian embassy spokeswoman.

She said she heard from other Norwegian officials that Mori had to take care of "budget issues."

It was the latest controversy for Mori, who since assuming office one year ago has been plagued by repeated scandals involving Cabinet members and tripped up by his own remarks evoking the nationalism of Japan's wartime leaders.

The incidents have sent his public support ratings below 10 percent, making him one of Japan's least popular leaders in decades.

Mori is widely expected to step down as early as next month, though he has not confirmed that he will because of concerns that as a lame duck he might not be able to properly carry out his duties.

His Liberal Democratic Party and its two smaller coalition partners have been under intense pressure to replace him.

Elections for Parliament's upper house are to be held in July, and many lawmakers in the ruling coalition fear Mori's unpopularity could hurt them at the polls.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Mori profile
Organization of Japanese Central Government
Japan: Government and Politics

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