Concern was spreading among Japanese diplomats that Sarkozy was showing little interest in the host nation and that he was giving premier Yasuo Fukuda the cold shoulder.

France’s president is the only G8 leader not to have held face-to-face talks with Fukuda so far.

And while Japan had penciled in such a meeting for Tuesday morning, France had not even considered the possibility, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun daily reported.

Japanese diplomats have been particularly surprised by the contrast between the current president and his predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who was known for his love for Japan, and for its national sport Sumo in particular.

Chirac visited Japan more than 10 times during his presidency.

Speculation was arising that Sarkozy was trying to avoid being compared to the former French leader. But Asahi Shimbun quoted sources close to French diplomats as admitting that Sarkozy lacked any interest in Japan.

In a further blow to French-Japanese relations, First Lady Carla Bruni, a singer and former model, canceled her scheduled attendance at the G8 to promote her new record instead.