Janet Jackson scraps Japanese tour

TOKYO, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Janet Jackson has canceled five concerts scheduled to take place next month in Japan, her Japanese concert promoter announced.

The BBC noted Jackson has performed only 16 dates on the Rock Witchu tour she started last year. The tour marked her first in about seven years.

While some 2008 concerts were scrapped due to Jackson falling ill, her cancellations in Japan are being blamed on the global economy, the BBC said.

Promoters Kyodo Yokohama said Jackson's Japanese dates are to be rescheduled for later this year and announced in March.