TOYAKO, Hokkaido Eight years ago when Japan last hosted the leaders of the eight leading industrialized nations, the general atmosphere was that they were getting together on a nice resort island to enjoy a vacation called the G8 summit.
But as the current pack of leaders arrived Sunday on the eve of this year's summit in the balmy Toyako resort area, the atmosphere is nowhere near as relaxed as that of the Okinawa gathering. Heated debate is expected on global warming, rising oil and food prices, and African development.
On the first day, the G8 leaders will hold discussions with African leaders, hitting on such topics as the surging food prices dealing a heavy blow to the continent, especially the sub-Saharan countries.