It has become late at night in Japan, but earlier, I attended the G7 leaders' online meeting. We had a candid discussion among the G7 leaders about the impact of the escalating situation in the Middle East on the global economy and financial and energy markets, ensuring the safety of maritime transport routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, and cooperation in protecting our citizens in the region. We confirmed the importance of the G7 acting in coordination to stabilize the regional and global economy, finance, and energy supply and demand. Specifically, we welcomed the agreement on coordinated oil stock releases at the International Energy Agency (IEA), and I also mentioned that Japan took the lead in announcing its stock release. We will work in collaboration with the G7 and the international community, including Gulf countries, to make every diplomatic effort towards the early stabilization of the situation. (Photo: Provided by the Cabinet Public Relations Office)