You've probably heard about July's G8 Summit in Toyako, in my home prefecture of Hokkaido. In case you're unfamiliar with the event, here's a primer from the Foreign Affairs Ministry:
"The Group of Eight (G8) Summit is an annual meeting attended by . . . Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the President of the European Commission; . . . leaders freely and vigorously exchange opinions on a variety of issues facing the global community, centering on economic and social problems."
While I do support people (especially those with armies behind them) talking things over peacefully, let's consider the societal damage this event is wreaking upon its host.