KYOTO — NGO representatives clashed with officials from the Group of Eight countries at a meeting here Thursday, charging that this year's summit could be a major step backward for climate change, development and aid to Africa due to poor leadership on the part of Japan.
"Despite the great expectations placed on the Japanese leadership with regards to global issues centering on the environment and development, we see little sign of progress toward a successful conclusion of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako summit," said a statement by nearly 160 NGO representatives from 20 different countries.
"The lack of ambitious policy proposals from the Japanese presidency is the cause of our great concern that the leaders gathering at Toyako may end up not producing any positive outcomes," it said.