In an exceptional deviation from Japan's traditional protocol, the country's hosts will not serve wine at official meals for a distinguished foreign guest: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.
The government and the Imperial Household Agency have agreed to entertain the Iranian leader without wine during his forthcoming visit, government sources said. The decision came after the Persian Gulf country threatened to cancel Khatami's planned first visit to Japan if Japan did not agree to keep wine off the dining table.
"When we entertain guests, we should not do whatever they dislike," one senior Foreign Ministry official said, requesting that he not be named.