Leaders from the Group of Seven democracies will gather in the seaside resort town of Biarritz, France, beginning Saturday for what is expected to be a fractured, contentious summit due to fundamental disagreements between the United States and other members over trade and climate change.
Citing unnamed government sources, Japanese media outlets had reported that this year's G7 was unlikely to issue a joint statement for the first time in its history.
In response, a senior Foreign Ministry official in Tokyo emphasized Wednesday that G7 members were still preparing to issue a joint statement to summarize discussions at the summit meeting, but added that a final decision will be eventually made by the top leaders during the gathering.