Japanese PM Kishida making plans to visit Britain for COP26, but could be derailed by election

Fumio Kishida and Boris Johnson, now the prime ministers of Japan and Britain, shake hands at a meeting they attended as their countries' foreign ministers in Tokyo in July 2017. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

The government is making plans for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to visit Britain for the 26th U.N. climate change conference, known as COP26, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. If the trip is realized, it would be Kishida's first trip abroad since taking office as prime minister.

The COP26 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from Oct. 31. The prime minister is looking to attend a summit meeting of world leaders and hold talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Kishida is considering departing Japan shortly after the Oct. 31 House of Representatives election and is expected to stay in Britain only a short time. Depending on the outcome of the election, the trip may be canceled.

The summit meeting will be held on Nov. 1 and 2, and online attendance and alternate representatives will not be allowed. "If he does not attend, it could lead to Japan being seen as neglecting global warming countermeasures," a senior Foreign Ministry official said.

At a press conference Friday, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki said, "We want to be a leader of the international community in achieving a decarbonized society."

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