Talks between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Barack Obama in Laos were shelved Thursday due to time constraints, according to a Japanese official.
Both sides had agreed to hold the meeting following a suggestion by Washington, but called it off after the East Asia Summit in Vientiane ended roughly 90 minutes later than originally scheduled, the official said.
"Japan and the United States work in close coordination on a regular basis, and we want to continue to seize opportunities for the leaders to exchange their opinions," the official said.
The EAS brought Abe and Obama together with 16 other regional leaders, including the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.