Photo/Illutration Leaders of 20 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum members pose for a group photograph in Lima on Nov. 16. (Pool)

When leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum gathered for a commemorative photograph after the conclusion of their meeting in Lima, one person was conspicuously missing.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who visited the grave of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, failed to make it for the photo session on Nov. 16 after he was caught in a traffic jam caused by an accident on his way back.

At a news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 19, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Ishiba’s absence did not undermine the significance of the summit.

“(The absence) was regrettable, but we do not believe that it had an impact on the outcome of the summit itself or the development of ties with leaders of other members,” Iwaya said. “It was caused by ‘force majeure’ (an uncontrollable event) and was unavoidable.”

He also said it was “highly meaningful” for the prime minister to pay respects at the grave of the Peruvian politician of Japanese descent, who died in September.

APEC comprises 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The leaders of 20 member countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, gathered for the photo.

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