Fiji's interim leader Frank Bainimarama's desire to represent his country at the Pacific leaders meeting in Japan has been rebuffed by the hosts.
The Australian newspaper reports the Fiji regime had been hoping Commodore Bainimarama would be invited to the annual PALM forum in Japan later this month on the back of its commitments to prepare the country for elections in 2014.
It says Japan had also been keen to end the military leader's diplomatic isolation by inviting him to attend the event.
But at the last minute Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda wrote to Commodore Bainimarama inviting his Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, instead.
It is believed Japan was convinced after talks with Australia that not enough had been done about lifting the public-order regulations.
