Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, far left, and other leaders discuss economic security during a Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima on May 20. (Provided by the Cabinet Public Relations Office)

HIROSHIMA--Group of Seven leaders pledged greater efforts toward nuclear disarmament but indicated the measures will not be unilateral in the face of Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons in its war in Ukraine.

In a communique released May 20, the second day of the G-7 summit here, the leaders vowed to “strengthen disarmament and nonproliferation efforts” with the goal being “a world without nuclear weapons.”

But the group set a precondition by adding the phrase “with undiminished security for all.”

The G-7 leaders also said they will “support Ukraine for as long as it takes in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression.”

The communique said the leaders will uphold and reinforce “the free and open international order based on the rule of law” and strongly oppose “any unilateral attempts to change the peacefully established status of territories by force or coercion anywhere in the world.”

Coordinated support for Ukraine is a focus of the three-day summit being held in this city known throughout the world as the site of the first atomic bombing by the United States in the closing days of World War II.

Specifically, the leaders said, “We call on China to press Russia to stop its military aggression, and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived in Hiroshima on May 20, was to participate in discussions with G-7 and other world leaders on the final day.

G-7 groups the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Japan.

On the issue of economic security, G-7 leaders pledged to coordinate their “approach to economic resilience and economic security.”

The approach is based on “diversifying and deepening partnerships” to counter China’s attempts to wield influence based on its vast natural resources. But the communique emphasized that it is not aimed at “decoupling” China.

On the issue of food security, the G-7 will launch “the Hiroshima Action Statement for Resilient Global Food Security” with partner countries, such as developing countries and emerging economies.

The leaders also said they aim to “deliver our goal of mobilizing $600 billion (83 trillion yen) in financing for quality infrastructure” through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment, which was set up by the G-7 last year.

The wide-ranging communique said the G-7 will “advance international discussions on inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) governance and interoperability to achieve our common vision and goal of trustworthy AI.”

On the issue of gender equality and sexual minorities, the G-7 leaders said they will strive to achieve a society where “all people can enjoy vibrant lives free from violence and discrimination independent of gender identity or expression or sexual orientation.”

(This article was written by Anri Takahashi and Keishi Nishimura.)

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