The G7/8 Summit and Its Importance to Japan's Foreign Relations

The G7/8 Summit and Its Importance to Japan's Foreign Relations

In November of 1975, six countries, France, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States and West Germany, met in France to foster policy coordination and discuss the state of their economic affairs. “This forum was meant to stimulate spontaneous and lively discussion about stabilizing the international economic system and coordinating macro-economic policies among the leading global economic powers” (Endo, 41). From the simplicity of the original informal meetings of prime ministers and presidents to foster trust between participating leaders, the G7/8 summits had become increasingly bureaucratic and now functions within the management process of a globalized political economy covering a variety of agendas and policy issues (Endo, 42). After the Cold War, Russia was invited to join the G7 (to form the G8) because it was “democratized” and had installed a full-fledged market economy. This virtual power of exclusivity to decide who manages and who is managed by limiting its membership informally demonstrates the international standard of political legitimacy (Endo, 42). Thus, the G7/8 summit has been characterized in many different, and often contradictory, ways. One on hand, it has been described as a unique, adaptable and one of the world’s biggest think-tanks as one of the central foci in the provision of global governance. On the other hand, “it has also been frequently criticized for its exclusivity and ineffectiveness and “has been cast as a “political festivity”, a “ritualized photo opportunity”, a “private club” and a “forum without a purpose” (Dobson, 3). However, despite these criticisms, the G7/8 summit holds a profound importance to Japan and has transformed Japan’s relationship within the international community. ADD MORE HERE
By 1975, Japan had become one of the most important nations in the global political economy and was thus naturally invited to be included in the first summit meeting. Japan’s membership and role in the G7/8 summit has...

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