Defying media speculation and with tensions still high in the Middle East, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman on a five-day trip starting Saturday as originally scheduled, government officials announced Friday.
During a news conference Friday in Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga revealed Abe will go to the Middle Eastern states as originally scheduled, Japan Times reports.
Abe will meet top leaders of the three countries to explore ways ''to stabilize regional situations and ask for cooperation to ensure stable energy supplies and the safe navigation of ships,'' Suga said.