Japan hosts a summit of the advanced industrialized nations' leaders for the fifth time from Monday to Wednesday. Leaders of the Group of Eight nations who gather in Toyako, Hokkaido, will discuss how to overcome major problems troubling the international community, such as global warming, steep rises in crude oil and food prices, and a slowdown in the world economy.
Clearly, such issues cannot be solved with one meeting. Nonetheless, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who is chairing the G8 summit, should strive to establish a path of cooperation that can help bring about the resolution of these pressing problems.
The summit will also discuss political and security issues including nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. Mr. Fukuda's ability to demonstrate leadership in the summit discussions is expected to weigh on the question of whether he will continue at the helm of the nation.