TOKYO: Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga voiced caution on Monday over expanding the current framework of the Group of Seven key industrialized nations.

"The G7 framework continues to be indispensable for major countries to confirm their plans to tackle issues that the international community currently faces and promote cooperation," Suga told a press conference.

Suga's remark came after US President Donald Trump suggested inviting Russia, South Korea, Australia and India to a G7 meeting that will be hosted by the United States.

Trump announced the postponement of the meeting, originally slated to be held in June, to September or later.

He branded the current G7 framework as being outdated.

Asked whether the four nations share core values with Japan, Suga stopped short of going into details. He said that while all the countries are extremely important partners, he cannot make a sweeping statement on the matter.

Russia was forced out of the Group of Eight framework following its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

"The Japanese government's stance that it cannot accept Russia's annexation of Crimea remains unchanged," Suga said.

JIJI Press