Hiroshima (Japan) | G7 leaders have issued a joint statement at the ongoing annual summit in the western Japanese city of Hiroshima. The release of the document ahead of schedule was an unusual move as the three-day gathering will end on Sunday, local media reported, citing the usual practice of releasing a statement on the final day of the summit, Xinhua news agency reported.
Local media reported that the Japanese Foreign Ministry issued a statement almost simultaneously in English and Japanese.
Japan’s national news agency Kyodo said the bloc may have decided to release the joint statement in advance to make it noticeable because of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s high-profile visit to Japan.
According to local media, Zelensky arrived in Hiroshima on Saturday and will attend a Ukraine-focused session with G7 leaders on Sunday.
The G7 includes the US, UK, Italy, France, Germany, Canada and Japan.
The annual summit of G7 leaders began in the western Japanese city on Friday amid protests.
