The G7 summit concluded its three-day gathering in Hiroshima amidst escalating protests, with member nations vowing to strengthen sanctions against Russia in response to the ongoing Ukraine crisis.
As the summit unfolded, an increasing number of demonstrators, both local and international, took to the streets, expressing their discontent with the G7 leaders’ communique and other documents adopted during the conference.
The protest, which took place in Hiroshima, a city once ravaged by the devastation of a US atomic bombing during World War II, saw hundreds of activists rallying against the summit’s decisions, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
On Sunday morning, Fukuromachi Park became a hub of dissent, as protesters gathered with placards bearing messages such as “No War-themed Conference,” “Hands off Ukraine,” and “No to Japan-US military alliance.” Their rallying cries echoed through the city’s main streets, drawing attention from onlookers and a significant presence of riot police officers.
Amidst chants of “No to War” and “Smash the G7 Hiroshima Summit,” clashes between protesters and the police briefly erupted in a downtown high street. One protester was apprehended but the demonstration continued undeterred.
Ryo Miyahara, the head of a Hiroshima citizens’ group and the organizer of the protest, expressed his perspective on the summit, stating, “To summarize, it is never a peaceful summit.”
The dissenting voices were not merely confined to concerns about the conference’s decisions but also accused the G7 Hiroshima Summit of perpetuating a war-themed narrative, allegedly influenced by US-backed hegemony. Protesters claimed that by hosting the meeting in Hiroshima, the Japanese government was disregarding the sentiments of atomic bombing victims and local residents.
In their final joint statement, the G7 nations, led by the United States, pledged unwavering support to Ukraine for as long as necessary. Prior to the in-person visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a standalone statement focused on Ukraine was released on Friday, outlining specific measures to impose sanctions on Russia. Furthermore, US President Joe Biden announced a new military aid package worth $375 million for Ukraine following his meeting with President Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
The G7, comprised of the United States, Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, and Japan, convened leaders from various nations and international organizations during the three-day gathering. Notable invitees included South Korea, Brazil, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Comoros, Cook Islands, among others.
As the G7 summit drew to a close, the resounding protests in Hiroshima underscored the discontent and opposition surrounding the summit’s decisions. The participants now disperse, leaving behind a city grappling with the aftermath of an event that showcased both diplomacy and dissent.
