Heavy anti-terrorism measures mean the overall cost to Japan for hosting the Group of Seven summit next May won't be any less than that for staging the previous summit in 2008, despite the cost-cutting effect derived from experience, a government source said Monday.
The total budget for the Ise-Shima summit in Mie Prefecture is expected to come to around ¥60 billion, including ¥34 billion for security measures, compared with the ¥60.6 billion total, with ¥33.1 billion for security, to host the 2008 Group of Eight summit in Hokkaido.
The cost of holding an international conference can usually be reduced the second time around as the host country can make use of existing materials and equipment as well as know-how, the source said.