The G7 Summit = Summit of the Seven Major Countries will soon begin in the United Kingdom.
After the spread of the new coronavirus, the leaders of each country will be the first place to exchange opinions face-to-face, and it is expected that discussions will be held on how to deal with China, including cooperation in the supply of vaccines.
This year's G7 Summit will soon begin in Cornwall, southwest England.
President Biden of the United States arrived in the United Kingdom two days ago, and Prime Minister Suga arrived on the morning of the 11th of Japan time. You will be greeted by Prime Minister Johnson.
It is the first time in two years that the G7 Summit will be held face-to-face with the leaders of each country, and it is the first time since the spread of the new coronavirus.
For this reason, countermeasures against the new coronavirus will be a pillar of discussion at this summit, which will be held until the 13th.
Prior to the opening of the summit, the UK said it would agree to provide at least one billion doses of vaccine as a G7 to end the spread by the end of next year.
In addition to discussing issues such as climate change and the global economy, it is expected that how to deal with China on these themes will be discussed, and the focus will be on how the G7 can show unity.
What is the main focus of the discussion?
At the G7 Summit = Summit of the Seven Major Countries, discussions will be held on climate change, economy and trade, regional affairs, education, etc., in addition to responding to the new coronavirus.
Of these, regarding the response to the new corona, it is expected that opinions will be exchanged on how to support developing countries for the fair supply of vaccines.
Prime Minister Suga will explain Japan's efforts, such as making a $ 1 billion contribution to the international framework for distributing vaccines, and will show its willingness to actively support it.
On the issue of climate change, the G7 will lead the decarbonization of the world as the chair country, the United Kingdom, will also serve as the chair country of COP26, the UN conference on global warming countermeasures to be held in November. I want to launch.
Prime Minister Suga would like to show Japan's leadership based on the statement that he is aiming for a reduction of 46% compared to FY2013 as a greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030.
On the other hand, in the regional situation, it is expected that the theme will be to respond to China, which is strengthening its supremacy, and what about the expansion into the East China Sea and South China Sea, the issues surrounding Taiwan, and the human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region? The focus is on issuing such a message.
Furthermore, regarding the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Prime Minister Suga would like to gain a new understanding by explaining that thorough infection control measures will be taken to realize a safe and secure Games.
Toward decarbonization of the entire world
At this G7 Summit, climate change countermeasures will be discussed as one of the main themes.
The G7 countries have agreed on a goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions as a whole by 2050, and at the Climate Change Summit in April, among the countries attending, towards 2030. There have been a series of moves to significantly raise the reduction target.
Under these circumstances, this summit will focus on what kind of message will be sent toward the decarbonization of the entire world, keeping in mind China, which is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
On the other hand, as some developing countries in Asia have no choice but to use low-cost coal-fired power generation for the time being toward a carbon-free society, the Japanese government has exported coal-fired power generation under stricter conditions. It is a policy to support.
Amid criticism from Europe and other countries about Japan's continued support, the G7 Climate and Environment Ministers' Meeting, which was held earlier, included an expression in the joint statement that allowed the response according to the circumstances of each country. The Japanese government says that it has gained a certain level of understanding, but if it is forced to take a stricter response at this summit, it will be in a difficult position.
Focus on building a supply network without China
At this G7 Summit, with China's growing presence in cutting-edge technologies such as semiconductors and scarce resources, which are becoming increasingly important in terms of security, how far can we build a supply chain = supply chain that does not depend on China? The focus will be on deepening cooperation.
China is taking the initiative in fostering industries in fields such as semiconductors, which are indispensable for many products such as smartphones and automobiles, rare earths, which are a rare resource, and storage batteries, which are the core of electric vehicles.
In response to this, the Biden administration in the United States plans to urge Congress to invest 5.5 trillion yen in national funds to support domestic production and research and development of semiconductors that are directly linked to security. Is revealed.
In addition, the EU-European Union has also set a goal of doubling semiconductor production in the region by 2030, and movements to reduce dependence on China are intensifying.
In light of these movements, the summit will focus on how far the seven major countries can deepen their cooperation in order to build a supply network that does not depend on China.
French President Emmanuel Macron "Don't be a place of conflict between the United States and China"
French President Emmanuel Macron held a press conference in Paris ahead of the G7 summit on the 10th, stating France's strategy for the Indo-Pacific region where China's influence is increasing, "to prevent this region from becoming a satellite zone of China and the United States And to ensure that it is not a place of conflict in China. "
He said, "It is important for friendly countries in this region to protect the value of democracy," and expressed his intention to cooperate with friendly countries in the region, such as the United States, Japan, and Australia.
European countries China's advance into the ocean and concerns about human rights issues
European countries in the G7 are becoming more involved in the Indo-Pacific region, which is becoming more important in terms of economics and security, and are raising concerns about China's marine expansion and human rights issues.
Of these, France has overseas territories in the Indo-Pacific region, so it has been dispatching ships on a regular basis for some time, but in recent years it has further strengthened its military presence, and in May it was the first in Japan in Japan. Joint training between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the US military was held in Kyushu.
Britain has also repeatedly urged China, which has increased its involvement and influence in the region after leaving the EU-European Union, to adhere to international rules.
Germany will also dispatch a frigate to the region in August.
On the other hand, each country takes the position that cooperation with China is indispensable for global issues such as climate change and infectious disease control, and also attaches great importance to relations with China in terms of economy.
Italy signed a memorandum of understanding with China for the first time as a G7 regarding the "One Belt, One Road" initiative for a huge economic zone led by China.
Germany's largest trading partner is China, and Chancellor Merkel has visited China 12 times since taking office and has built close ties with each other, and each country wants to avoid a decisive conflict with China.
Prime Minister Suga's first face-to-face international conference
This G7 Summit = Summit of the Seven Major Countries will be the first face-to-face international conference for Prime Minister Suga since he took office in September last year.
Prime Minister Suga visited the United States in April to meet face-to-face with President Biden, but this is the first time he has met directly with other G7 leaders as Prime Minister.
Prior to attending the G7, Prime Minister Suga met with former Prime Minister Abe and exchanged opinions on the 3rd of this month.
Mr. Abe said that the summit was also a place to express his personal views, and advised Prime Minister Suga to speak positively and show his own views.
As Prime Minister Suga, I wonder if he can show his presence as a leader of Japan in place of Mr. Abe, who served as Prime Minister for 7 years and 8 months until last year and attended the summit in a row. You will be asked.
On the other hand, at the time of the summit, Prime Minister Suga is coordinating individual meetings with the leaders of each country, and hopes to build a personal relationship of trust.
Main schedule of G7 summit
The British government has unveiled a detailed schedule for the G7 Summit, which begins on the 11th.
[11th]
On the first day
,
the leaders of each country will arrive at the venue around 2:00 pm local time and around 10 pm Japan time, and will be greeted by the Prime Minister and Mrs. Johnson of the United Kingdom.
This summit will have six sessions on each agenda.
The first session on the 11th will focus on the recovery from the pandemic, including the education of women.
After that, the leaders will meet with Queen Elizabeth and other members of the British royal family.
[12th]
Discussions will resume at 10 am and 6 pm Japan time, and in the morning we will discuss measures to protect the supply network = supply chain regarding the world economy.
Foreign policy will be discussed from 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm Japan time.
At around 3:15 pm and around 11:15 pm Japan time, the leaders of South Korea, Australia and South Africa will arrive at the venue as guests.
After that, the fourth session was held at 4:00 pm and midnight on the 13th of Japan time.
We will discuss measures against the new coronavirus.
[13th] On the
final day, the leaders will have two sessions.
We will discuss open society from 9:30 am and 5:30 pm Japan time, and climate change countermeasures from 11:30 am and 7:30 pm Japan time.
After that, at 2:05 pm and 10:05 pm Japan time, British Prime Minister Johnson will hold a presidency meeting to announce the outcome of the summit.