U.S. President Barack Obama is unlikely to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki during his possible trip to Japan in November because he will not be here long enough to do so, a senior Foreign Ministry official indicated Friday.

Expectations have been growing that Obama, who has called for a nuclear-free world, may visit the two atomic bombed cities, as the ministry is making arrangements for Obama's Japan visit, which would be his first as president.

Obama is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in Singapore in November, and it is possible he may visit Japan around that time.

"He is expected to visit other countries as well. His stay may not be long enough to go to Hiroshima and Nagasaki," the official said on condition of anonymity.

But he added that nothing has yet been decided and, ultimately, it is up to Obama whether he visits the two cities.