Statement by Takeshi Niinami, Chairman of Keizai Doyukai
on Outcome of G7 Hiroshima Summit

May 21, 2023

Takeshi Niinami
Chairman, Keizai Doyukai

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1. The Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Hiroshima was a remarkable success never seen in the previous Summits held in Japan. We have all witnessed laying floral wreaths by the leaders of each nation at the cenotaph for the A-bomb victims, as well as the attitude seeking potential for dialogues and cooperation with all nations including China. We highly appreciate the message announced worldwide that aims at stability and peace, beyond de-coupling. The Summit enabled Ukraine's President Zelenskyy to meet face-to-face with India's Prime Minister Modi--bidding for a leader of the Global South--and other leaders. Creating such new channels of dialogues is an unprecedented result, never possible without Japan's diplomacy garnered for many years and Hiroshima's power as the A-bomb city. We respect efforts of Prime Minister Kishida and people who contributed to the remarkable success of the Summit.
2. It is also significant that views were exchanged among the leaders including those of the Global South over complex issues. Dialogues were also made with the leaders of Japan' important Asia Pacific partners, such as Australia, Indonesia, and South Korea, thereby strengthening Japan's presence as a "boundary spanner". We expect Japanese government to keep on exercising its diplomacy for lasting dialogues and extended economic ties with these nations.
3. Meanwhile, we saw the Summit making substantial progress in paving the way to address issues, including creation of international rules for generative AI--assumed to become a basis of economic activities going forward--and ensuring economic security such as by bolstering supply chains. Hereafter we, business leaders, will challenge the government's institutional design and policy making in a specific way, while pursuing transition of business strategies.

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