G7 May Meetings Affect Travel Plans

Tourists traveling in May should be aware many Group of 7 (G7) meetings are happening during this month. As Japan wishes to show the very best to its international visiting leaders, some frequented hotels, roads, or tourist attractions will be closed for security reasons in and around meeting dates.

The main meeting will be held in Ise-Shima, home of the famous Ise Jingu Shrine. It will be closed during this time as the prime minister himself will guide a group to this important piece of Japanese culture. Meanwhile in Sendai, the city wishes to express its appreciation and gratitude for the G7 members’ recovery assistance after the Great East Japan Earthquake. G7 representatives and press will be staying in the Akiu hot spring resort just outside the city center. Expect it to be in partial lockdown for this high-profile event.

Below are the remaining meetings of 2016. Check the official website for details.

May 14-15 Education Ministers’ Meeting, Kurashiki City, Okayama Pref.

May 15-16 Environment Ministers’ Meeting, Toyama City, Toyama Pref.

May 15-17, Science and Technology Ministers’ Meeting, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Pref.

May 20-21 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting

May 26-27 Main Summit, Ise-Shima, Mie Prefecture

Sept 11-12 Health Ministers’ Meeting, Kobe City, Hyogo Pref.

Sept 24-25 Transport Ministers’ Meeting, Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture

The Group of 7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA. The European Union is also represented.