TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's table tennis chiefs said they will not be sending players to participate in events in Kuwait and Qatar because of safety concerns following the murder of two Japanese men by Islamist extremists.

The events are part of the World Tour.

The Kuwait Open will start on Wednesday next week and the Qatar Open on Feb 17.

"As media reported, Japanese nationals were abducted and murdered in the Middle East while unsavoury messages were sent out," the association said in a statement.

"Considering the latest situation, the association decided to cancel the plan to send the team to the Kuwait and Qatar Open tournaments."