PRESS CONFERENCE
Japan and the G7 process – More than meets the eye

Tetsushi Sonobe, Dean, The Asian Development Bank Institute / Think7 Japan Lead Chair
Yukari Takamura, Vice-President for International Affairs, Science Council of Japan, Professor at the Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo
Mariko Kinai, National Director, World Vision Japan / Co-chair, Japan Civil Society Coalition on G7 Summit 2023 / C7 Steering Committee

11:00-12:00 Wednesday, March 29, 2023
(The speech and Q & A will be in English.)

The Group of Seven (G7) summit, which draws together the leaders of the world's most advanced economies, is much more than the "talking shop" it is sometimes portrayed as. The events are supported throughout by the ongoing work of government officials known as "Sherpas," and a network of experts and so-called "engagement groups" drawn from civil society. However, the work that these groups do to power the G7 process is not always visible or well understood.

In May, Japan will host the G7 summit in the city of Hiroshima – a chance to observe these engagement groups and their activities up close. Among these groups, the Think7 (T7), Science 7 (S7/G-Science Academies' Meeting), and Civil 7 (C7) groups represent the interests of different international stakeholders and positions independent from government.

Visiting the FCCJ, the chairs of these three groups will explain why – as researchers, scientists, and civil society representatives – their voices matter to the G7 and its partners, particularly when addressing increasingly complex global challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, and widening inequality. They will discuss the various ways their insights and perspectives can support G7 political leaders in finding workable solutions and in navigating pathways to a sustainable and more inclusive future.

How to attend: 
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Due to space restrictions attendance will be limited. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding. 

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live 
Livestreaming of the press events will be available and video of this event will be uploaded to our FCCJ YouTube channel. 

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/PQqrgxMiMxU9gYiF7
Members watching the event online can submit questions for the speakers in advance using this submission form.

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. 

Professional Activities Committee