Barack Obama apologises to Japan over US spying claims released by WikiLeaks
United States president Barack Obama has apologised to Tokyo after WikiLeaks claimed Washington had spied on Japanese politicians, a government spokesman has said.
"President Obama said he was very sorry ... as the case caused a big debate in Japan," spokesman Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference, without confirming the spying claims.
"Prime minister Abe told [Mr Obama] that, if the Japanese people concerned were subject to these activities, it would risk jeopardising trusting relations between allies."
Mr Suga added Mr Abe reiterated his "serious concern" over the case.
The two leaders held the telephone conversation on Wednesday morning, Mr Suga said, adding the pair agreed to work together on global economic issues in the wake of a stock market meltdown sparked by fears over China.
In an earlier conversation with US vice president Joe Biden, Mr Abe voiced similar concerns if the spying claims were confirmed.
Last month, the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks said it had intercepts revealing years-long espionage by the US National Security Agency (NSA) on Japanese officials and major companies.
Tokyo's response has been widely seen as muted compared to the anger expressed in France and Germany following similar NSA spying allegations.
Japan is one of Washington's key allies in the Asia Pacific region and they regularly consult on defence, economic and trade issues.
Loading...Unlike German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Francois Hollande, Mr Abe did not appear to be a direct target of wiretapping, but other senior politicians such as trade minister Yoichi Miyazawa were, according to WikiLeaks.
The trade leaks were particularly sensitive, published on the day of final talks to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership between Japan, the US, Australia, and nine other countries.
One document published by WikiLeaks on Japan's climate strategy for the 2008 G8 summit was marked for sharing with Australia and allies Britain, Canada, and New Zealand.
Mr Obama and Mr Abe also discussed the market turmoil that has seen a massive global equities sell-off after China cut the value of its yuan currency in an apparent bid to boost exports, sparking fears of an economic slowdown and a subsequent impact on global growth.
AFP