G7 leaders confirm realistic approach to nuclear disarmament in G7 statement, continued support for Ukraine
May 21, 2023
by Masaharu Nakagawa and Yohei Yamamoto, Staff Writers
The leaders of the nations in attendance at the summit meeting of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations) issued a final leaders’ statement incorporating the summit results on May 20, the second day of the summit held in Hiroshima. Regarding disarmament and non-proliferation, the leaders expressed their commitment to achieving a world without nuclear weapons “with undiminished security for all,” through the adoption of a realistic and pragmatic approach. They also confirmed their continued support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion of that country. The leaders emphasized they were prepared to build constructive and stable relationships by communicating their concerns directly with China about that country’s continued strengthening of its military capabilities.
The G7 leaders issued on May 19 what is called the “Hiroshima Vision,” a document that points out the importance of nuclear disarmament, which is a theme also clearly stated in the overall leaders’ statement. They also reaffirmed “the importance of disarmament and non-proliferation efforts to create a more stable and safer world.”
The G7 statement mentioned the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), for which Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has advocated since serving as foreign minister of Japan. The statement called the NPT, in which about 190 countries and regions participate, “the foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.” In the statement, the G7 leaders also welcomed measures to strengthen export controls on technologies and research that could be converted into military purposes.
In other areas, the leaders affirmed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region and advocated maintaining an international order based on the rule of law. They expressed serious concerns about China regarding the situation in the East and South China seas, and confirmed their strong opposition to that country’s attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. The importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was also noted. The leaders condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launches and called for a solution to the abduction issue vis-à-vis that nation.
The government explained the reason for issuing the statement on the second day of the summit was that the leaders of eight invited countries, including South Korea and India, joined the meeting in the afternoon of May 20, and that the G7-only discussions had already been completed. The decision was reportedly made by Mr. Kishida, who served as chair of the G7 summit this time.
On May 20, the G7 leaders continued their discussions at the main summit venue, the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima, located in the area of Motoujina-machi (Ujina Island) in Hiroshima’s Minami Ward. They agreed on a policy to strengthen support for emerging and developing countries, known as the “Global South.” The leaders reached an accord on the creation of a new framework to counter economic coercion, with China and Russia firmly in mind. On May 21, the final day of the summit, Mr. Kishida is scheduled to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, located in the city’s Naka Ward, with the leaders of the invited countries. After the closing session and other events, the prime minister will speak at a press conference.
(Originally published on May 21, 2023)
The leaders of the nations in attendance at the summit meeting of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations) issued a final leaders’ statement incorporating the summit results on May 20, the second day of the summit held in Hiroshima. Regarding disarmament and non-proliferation, the leaders expressed their commitment to achieving a world without nuclear weapons “with undiminished security for all,” through the adoption of a realistic and pragmatic approach. They also confirmed their continued support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion of that country. The leaders emphasized they were prepared to build constructive and stable relationships by communicating their concerns directly with China about that country’s continued strengthening of its military capabilities.
The G7 leaders issued on May 19 what is called the “Hiroshima Vision,” a document that points out the importance of nuclear disarmament, which is a theme also clearly stated in the overall leaders’ statement. They also reaffirmed “the importance of disarmament and non-proliferation efforts to create a more stable and safer world.”
The G7 statement mentioned the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), for which Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has advocated since serving as foreign minister of Japan. The statement called the NPT, in which about 190 countries and regions participate, “the foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.” In the statement, the G7 leaders also welcomed measures to strengthen export controls on technologies and research that could be converted into military purposes.
In other areas, the leaders affirmed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region and advocated maintaining an international order based on the rule of law. They expressed serious concerns about China regarding the situation in the East and South China seas, and confirmed their strong opposition to that country’s attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. The importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was also noted. The leaders condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launches and called for a solution to the abduction issue vis-à-vis that nation.
The government explained the reason for issuing the statement on the second day of the summit was that the leaders of eight invited countries, including South Korea and India, joined the meeting in the afternoon of May 20, and that the G7-only discussions had already been completed. The decision was reportedly made by Mr. Kishida, who served as chair of the G7 summit this time.
On May 20, the G7 leaders continued their discussions at the main summit venue, the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima, located in the area of Motoujina-machi (Ujina Island) in Hiroshima’s Minami Ward. They agreed on a policy to strengthen support for emerging and developing countries, known as the “Global South.” The leaders reached an accord on the creation of a new framework to counter economic coercion, with China and Russia firmly in mind. On May 21, the final day of the summit, Mr. Kishida is scheduled to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, located in the city’s Naka Ward, with the leaders of the invited countries. After the closing session and other events, the prime minister will speak at a press conference.
(Originally published on May 21, 2023)
