Japan and France agreed Tuesday that the Group of Eight leaders should discuss information technology and ways to help least-developed countries at the upcoming G8 summit in Okinawa. Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori discussed the G8 summit agenda in separate meetings in Paris with French President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, a Japanese official said.
"The summit should issue a positive message that information technology will create new economic opportunities," the official quoted Chirac as saying.
Mori, who will host the Okinawa summit, arrived in Paris earlier in the day on the third leg of a nine-day tour of all G8 countries.
Chirac also proposed five other areas he wants to highlight in the July 21-23 summit.
According to Japanese officials, the five topics raised by Chirac were: stabilization of financial markets; safety of nuclear facilities; ways to tackle global warming; safety of sea-route transportation of oil and other goods; and safety of genetically modified foods.
Mori told Chirac that Japan shares those concerns and supports their discussion at the summit.
Mori expressed confidence that the Japanese economy will show positive growth in fiscal 1999, which ended March 31.
The economy is on its way toward recovery," Mori was quoted as telling Chirac.
Chirac said he is "not worried at all" about Japan's economy. "I am sure the Japanese economy will achieve a full-fledged recovery," the president was quoted as saying.
After the talks with Chirac, Mori arrived in Berlin from Paris on Wednesday morning to begin the fourth leg of his tour.
Mori will meet German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder during his brief stay in the city.
The seven-nation tour is intended to give Mori, who became prime minister April 5, a chance to meet his counterparts before hosting the Okinawa summit.