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012 WELCOMEWELCOMEJapan has assumed the Presidency of the G7 summit this year. On May 26 and 27, Japan will convene the G7 Ise-Shima Summit in Mie Prefecture.In Ise-Shima, the stage for the G7 Summit, you can find not only Ise Jingu Shrine with a history dating back to time immemorial, but also marvellous natural beauty including the rich sea spreading out before your eyes, islands large and small, and countless inlets. It is a perfect example of our heartland – a place dear to many, away from the bustling cities. In such an environment, I will make this year’s summit a fruitful one by having candid discussions with the other G7 leaders on various issues confronting the globe.Today, the international community faces numerous challenges. A slowdown in the growth of the global economy, terrorism threatening people’s lives, a surge of refugees, and unilateral changes to the status quo through the use of coercion are all among the challenges affecting the peace and prosperity we enjoy in our daily lives.The G7 members, which share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, must take a global perspective to provide the most appropriate road map for solving these challenges with a clear vision.The G7 Ise-Shima Summit is the first G7 summit to be convened in Asia since the summit in Toyako eight years ago. I hope to discuss the situation in the Asia-Pacific region with other G7 leaders.In addition to the G7 Summit meeting to be held in Ise-Shima, we will hold the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Hiroshima and the Finance Ministers’ meeting in Sendai, as well as the Agricultural Ministers’ meeting in Niigata, the ICT Ministers’ meeting in Takamatsu, the Energy Ministers’ meeting in Kitakyushu, the Education Ministers’ meeting in Kurashiki, the Science and Technology Ministers’ meeting in Tsukuba, the Environment Ministers’ meeting in Toyama, the Health Ministers’ meeting in Kobe, and the Transport Ministers’ meeting in Karuizawa.Scores of journalists from around the world will converge on Japan to cover the G7 Ise-Shima Summit and these ministerial meetings. All of which will be the focus of attention around the world. I hope to take this opportunity to send out to the world our message about Japan’s unique of appeal, including our culture and traditions, our spirit of hospitality, our world-class washoku cuisine, as well as advanced technologies and our innovation. With your cooperation and assistance, I will work to lead the G7 Ise-Shima Summit to success. ■The above remarks by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were first issued on 4 January 2016. For more information on Japan’s G7 presidency please visit: www.japan.go.jp/g7/SHINZO ABE, PRIME MINISTER, JAPANAbove: Shinzo AbeOpposite page: Mount Fuji; The G7 Foreign Ministers arrive in Hiroshima“ WITH YOUR COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE, I WILL WORK TO LEAD THE G7 ISE-SHIMA SUMMIT TO SUCCESS”