Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has stated that he has no plans to attend the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, stating that he is examining numerous options in response to the US-led diplomatic boycott.
"At the time, I have no plans to attend," Kishida said in parliament on Thursday, according to reports. Kishida was responding to a query from Shinkun Haku, a Japanese legislator, about his involvement in the Beijing Winter Olympics. Kishida went on to say that making a choice in this matter is critical, and that he will do so at the appropriate moment. He further stated that the decision will be made after a thorough examination of many factors in light of the national interest.
The remarks by Japan's Prime Minister on the Beijing Winter Olympics come after the United States launched a diplomatic boycott of the games in response to human rights violations in China's Xinjiang province.
Meanwhile, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada have joined the United States in declaring a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics. The US measure is intended to send a "clear message" that China's human rights violations imply that "business as usual" is no longer an option.
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