G-7 in sync with agenda of Japan’s premier Abe

Associated Press

ISE, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and fellow leaders of the Group of Seven advanced economies will begin their summit today with a visit to Ise Shrine, the most hallowed site for Japan’s indigenous Shinto religion – one of many aspects of the gathering that dovetail with Abe’s long-term diplomatic and political agenda.

As host, to the extent that it can, Abe’s government has shaped the G-7 program to showcase his own political and economic platform, taking “leadership in guiding the world by showing the best path forward for peace and prosperity,” according to an agenda distributed by the Foreign Ministry.

Many of the issues to be discussed by the leaders during their two days of talks are linked to Abe’s policy priorities. They include maritime security – code for concerns over China’s expanding presence in disputed areas of the South China Sea; initiatives on global health, including funding for fighting terrorism and pandemics; and a focus on women’s empowerment, which Abe has promoted as “womenomics.”

The annual summit brings together the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. President Barack Obama arrived in Japan on Wednesday and had ameeting with Abe. After the summit ends Friday, Obama plans to visit the peace park in Hiroshima.