By Meleasie Goviro – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Security was at its peak in Central Japan today as the meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) summit kicked off.
Heavy police presence covered the main venue in Mie prefecture.
World leaders and host country, Japan will meet for two days to address global challenges related to trade and government policies.
For residents living around the area it was harder to move around normally, with increased police presence.
“Places that I’d usually get to in five to ten minutes by car, would take much longer,” said Shima Peninsula resident, Tadamichi Nomura.
Others like Hirayuki Shimizu found their presence more of an advantage in terms of security.
“I was shocked by the amount of police officers standing all over the place. But I do feel safer.”
Today’s program began with a visit to the famous 2,000-year-old Grand Ise Shrine, the holiest site in Japan’s Shinto religion, by the leaders.
Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, and host of this year’s summit, welcomed the leaders of member countries at the Uji bridge of the 2000-year-old Ise Grand Shrine, the holiest site in Japan’s Shinto religion, before they entered the compound.
The leaders are later expected to attend three sessions of meetings discussing issues, including terrorism, refugees, trade, cyber security and maritime security and China’s assertiveness in the East and South China Seas, where Beijing has territorial disputes with Japan and several Southeast Asian nations.
Leaders are also expected to promote a combination of monetary, fiscal and structural policies to enhance growth in their respective countries.
Group of Seven countries include the United States, Britain, Japan, Germany, Italy, Canada and France.
The chief of the International Monetary Fund and European Commission have also joined the two-day meeting.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Xzgvi_6r4fM%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
