The head of Japan's soccer federation said that two international friendlies in the United States in March will be canceled regardless of whether a U.S.-led coalition goes to war in Iraq.
"Even if no war breaks out, there is no telling how things will turn out," Saburo Kawabuchi told reporters Saturday. "It's not worth taking unnecessary risks."
Japan was due to open its 2003 schedule with a game against Uruguay in San Jose, Calif., on March 26.
The team was then scheduled to face the U.S. national team in Seattle three days later.