Pledge of Peace Was Shared at G7 Summit, Says Kishida

The Yomiuri Shimbun

18:44 JST, May 21, 2023

HIROSHIMA — Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized Sunday the significance of the visit by world leaders to the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, at a press conference after the Group of Seven summit drew to a close.

“The G7 members and invited nations’ leaders were able to share a pledge of peace,” Kishida said at a press conference held at the park.

At the beginning of the press conference, Kishida stated his belief that the leaders have “two responsibilities.”

“First, we have a solemn responsibility to protect the safety of our people in a severe security environment. At the same time, we have the lofty responsibility of continuing to pursue a world free of nuclear weapons, never losing sight of this ideal.”

Kishida stressed the significance of the summit joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying, “We were able to confirm the importance of a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and present a message of renewed determination to uphold this.”

The prime minister also pledged to continue to fulfill his role as G7 chair even after the Hiroshima summit is over.

“As we continue to have these opportunities [to work with international partners such as those in the Global South], we will carry with us the fruitful discussions we had in Hiroshima, and take the lead in strengthening our collaboration with these countries to solve various issues together,” he said.