Japanese cities hosting 2023 G7 meetings

i By February 17, 2023 No Comments

Several Japanese cities will be in the global spotlight this year as Japan carries out its duties as the 2023 president of the G7, the informal alliance of Japan, Canada, France, the United States, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

This year, Japan will not only host the G7 Summit but also 12 ministerial meetings covering issues such as science and technology, gender equality, sustainability, foreign affairs, climate and environment, safety, and agriculture.

Cities and prefectures hosting meetings include the resort town of Karuizama in Nagano prefecture (Foreign Ministers, April 16-18), Sendai City (Science and Technology Ministers, May 12-14), Sapporo (Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers, April 15-16), and Osaka (Trade Ministers, October 28-29).

The Summit of G7 leaders will be held in Hiroshima, May 19-21. The city is the hometown of Japan’s prime minster, Fumio Kishida.

“Hiroshima is a beautiful city surrounded by the lush green Chugoku Mountains, facing the calm Seto Inland Sea,” said Prime Minister Kishida in his message announcing the G7 Hiroshima Summit. “I truly look forward to welcoming the G7 leaders to Hiroshima. At the same time, as the world’s attention turns to Japan this year, it will be a great opportunity to show the world the charms of our country, from beautiful landscapes, traditional culture, and local foods to cutting-edge technology.”

The G7 was founded in 1973 in response to the OPEC oil embargo. Its original focus was to discuss solutions to global economic and financial problems. Its scope was expanded to include political issues in the 1980s. Today, the G7 meetings are attended by ministers from the G7 nations as well as representatives from the European Union.

Presidency of the group changes annually, revolving through the member countries.

In his message, Prime Minister Kishida said he would be facilitating candid discussions among the G7 leaders on a range of challenges facing the international community, such as energy and food security, regional affairs including the Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, economic security, climate change, and global health.