By Steve Ross

SNA (Mie Prefecture) — World leaders gather in Mie Prefecture, Japan, for the G7 Summit, including activities for partners, formerly called spouses, of the presidents and prime ministers.

Transcript

Narration: Japan’s hosting of the G7 meeting in Mie Prefecture’s Ise-Shima provided a picture-postcard setting for the leaders of the top seven economies to meet and greet, and grab world class photo-opportunities before issuing long-planned statements on cooperative policies.

G7 leaders shared the opening spotlight with the setting of the Ise Jingu Shrine, widely considered a prefectural jewel for its lush foliage. The leaders’ visit to the shrine appeared to underscore Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s promotion of Shintoism.

Among the economic concerns on this year’s agenda were terrorism, refugees, and the potential for a global economic slowdown due to volatile oil prices. Shared policy pronouncements are set to be issued on Friday, May 27th.

Japanese products and Mie Prefecture foods and other specialties were showcased in a specially constructed Annex to the G7 International Media Center. Interactive displays included Japanese robots and transport devices.

The G7 leaders’ partners – formerly referred to as spouses – were also hand for the events. Here, German leader Angela Merkel’s husband joined the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the Japanese PM’s wife, Akie Abe, in charming locals with greetings in what was quite literally a choreographed show of friendship with their local hosts.

This is Steve Ross in Mie Prefecture, Japan, for the Shingetsu News Agency.