島サミット、東京で７月開催

　林芳正官房長官は２日の記者会見で、日本と計１８の太平洋島しょ国・地域による首脳会議「太平洋・島サミット」を、７月１６～１８日に東京で開くと発表した。１９９７年から３年ごとに開かれ、今回で１０回目となる。
　林氏は、太平洋地域で影響力を強める中国を念頭に「法の支配に基づく自由で開かれた国際秩序を維持・強化し、協力の輪を広げるために重要な機会だ」と強調。気候変動対策なども議論する方針を示した。（2024/02/02-10:59）

Japan will host leaders from 18 Pacific island nations and regions for a summit meeting in Tokyo July 16-18, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Friday.
   The leaders will discuss climate change among other topics, Hayashi said at a press conference.
   "It is an important opportunity to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and expand the circle of cooperation," Hayashi said, signaling the need to counter China's growing influence in the region.
   The Pacific islands summit has been held every three years since 1997.
   Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa will meet with her counterparts from the Pacific island countries and regions in Fiji on Feb. 12 to lay the groundwork for the summit, her ministry said.