Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's hopes of visiting the United States this month to meet President Barack Obama and demonstrate Japan's dedication to bilateral security ties appear likely to be dashed by scheduling conflicts that will push his trip back to February or later, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Monday.

If Abe's U.S. trip is delayed, it could significantly affect his diplomatic strategy. Abe has repeatedly emphasized the main pillar of his diplomacy is to strengthen Japan's military alliance with the United States first and thereby keep China in check. Japan is involved in territorial rows with both China and South Korea.

At a news conference, Suga said tight political schedules on the part of the U.S. have made it difficult to fix a date for the Abe-Obama summit.