Two million spectators visited the 3D replica of Syria’s historic Palmyra Arch of Triumph in just two days as it made its fourth stop in the Italian city of Arona, Sicily, on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

On Thursday, May 26, the first day of the G7 Summit, Mr. and Mrs. Abe accompanied the world’s leaders and their spouses on a visit to the Shinto spiritual origin of Japan known as Ise Jingu (Ise Grand Shrine) [...] to emphasize Japan’s spiritual core at a shrine noted for its natural beauty and not national politics like that of Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo that rattles nerves throughout Northeast Asia. 

KBTC will broadcast a special week of Japan’s English language news program, NHK Newsline, at 6pm May 23rd through May 27th. In addition to headlines from around the globe, this 30-minute news program will include news and analysis on location from the 42nd G7 Summit in Ise-Shima, Japan. The Ise-Shima Summit is the first G7 Summit to be convened in Asia since the summit in Toyako, Hokkaido eight years ago. 

After efforts to remold security policy and gain traction in diplomacy toward Asia and dealing with wartime history disputes in 2015, Japanese policymakers face even greater challenges on the international stage in the coming year.