Keidanren, which represents the nation's largest companies, said Friday that its plan to send a delegation to China in May has been postponed by the Senkakus dispute.
The decision comes as the trilateral summit involving Japan, China and South Korea scheduled for late May in Seoul is also expected to be canceled by territorial tensions. The federation, also known as the Japan Business Federation, said that arranging meetings with Chinese officials in such a hostile climate will probably be difficult for the time being.
A Keidanren official said the China visit will not be rearranged before July.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a press conference Friday that Japan "always keeps our door for dialogue open" and noted the importance of improving Japan-China relations.