Finance ministers and central bankers of the Group of Seven industrialized countries may discuss how a U.S.-led attack on Iraq could affect the world economy when they get together Friday in Paris, according to the government's chief spokesman.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Monday that the top G7 financial officials might also talk about economic steps the countries will take in the event of military action.
"When stock prices plunged following the (Sept. 11) terrorist attacks, various measures were taken," Fukuda said. "There's a tacit understanding that each country will make consultations on such measures."
But Fukuda said it is unlikely that specific measures to stabilize the financial markets will be discussed, given the uncertainty of how long and how large a possible U.S.-led attack on Iraq might be.
"I don't think we will hold talks based on any specific premise," Fukuda said.