Amidst the swine flu epidemic, Japanese publishers Square Enix and Koei are reportedly cutting back on their Japanese representation for this year's E3, which is set to take place two weeks from now. Both companies will still have a strong showing at E3 from the American and European branches. Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts team, and an unspecified number of employees from Koei will not make the trip to Los Angeles.

Nintendo and Sony have also reported that neither will be lessening their representation from Japan because of swine flu.

The Japanese offices of two major publishers have prohibited staff from attending E3 in June – due to fears over swine flu.

Develop understands that Square Enix has cancelled plans for its Kingdom Hearts team to attend the show, whilst Koei has confirmed that an unspecified number of its Japanese employees will not be travelling to the event in Los Angeles.

Both will still have a strong turnout at E3, however, with European and American staff present – alongside a reduced number of representatives from Japan.

Akira_EX via developmag.com »