TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide met with his immediate predecessor, Shinzo Abe, on Thursday to talk about the Group of Seven summit, which will be held in Britain for three days from June 11.

Suga and Abe exchanged opinions for some 30 minutes at Abe’s office in the building for lawmakers of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament.

It was the first time for the two to hold a meeting since March 29, ahead of Suga’s first visit to the United States.

“It was very meaningful,” Suga told a group of reporters after the discussions.

Sources familiar with the matter said that Abe advised Suga to speak freely at the summit because many opinions are often exchanged at a G-7 leaders’ meeting, whereas papers tend to be read at a Group of 20 summit.

It is possible that Suga and Abe also discussed future political issues, such as when to dissolve the Lower House for an election. The next Lower House election needs to be held by the autumn.

JIJI Press