World leaders gather in Japan ahead of G7 summit

World leaders began gathering in Japan Wednesday ahead of a Group of Seven Summit. Security was tight across the region, with thousands of extra police drafted in to patrol train stations and ferry terminals, and to direct traffic on the usually quiet roads during the two-day meeting. 

    Among the arrivals expected later Wednesday was Britain's David Cameron, whose country's referendum next month on continued membership of the European Union was likely to figure prominently on the summit agenda. Cameron was set for a one-on-one meeting later in the day with summit host, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

    Abe was also due Wednesday to meet US President Barack Obama, whose visit to the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima on Friday threatened to overshadow the summit.

    Obama will become the first sitting US leader to travel to the city, the site of the world's first nuclear attack on August 6, 1945.

    France's Francois Hollande and Germany's Angela Merkel were expected to arrive on Thursday morning. The meeting will also be joined by Italy's Matteo Renzi and Canada's Justin Trudeau.

    Abe said Wednesday he wants the Group of 7 countries meeting in Ise-Shima to issue a strong and clear message that they will contribute to sustainable growth in the global economy, Japan's NHK World broadcaster reported.

    He was speaking in Tokyo before leaving for the meeting of leaders in western Japan. It will be the 5th time that Abe has participated in a summit. He said he is resolved to chair a successful meeting, and that the global economic situation is at the top of the agenda.  G7 leaders will exchange views in five sessions on separate themes.

    The themes include growth in the world economy, terrorism, the refugee crisis, anti-corruption measures with the so-called Panama Papers in mind, and regional issues in Syria and the South China Sea. A declaration from the summit is expected on Friday.

Source: QNA