News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PRIME MINISTER HARPER TO PARTICIPATE IN HOKKAIDO TOYAKO G8 SUMMIT AND MAKE OFFICIAL VISIT TO JAPAN

June 24, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will travel to Japan to participate in the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit taking place from July 7 to 9, 2008.

The G8 Summit, this year chaired by Japan, will focus on environment and climate change, development and Africa, and the world economy, in addition to pressing global political concerns.

The G8 is an informal group of eight industrialized countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union also participates. At this Summit, leaders from Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and other African nations, as well as heads of international organizations, have also been invited to meet with the G8 leaders.

Following the Summit, the Prime Minister will remain in Japan, from July 9 to 10, 2008, accompanied by Mrs Harper. During this visit, the Prime Minister and Mrs. Harper will be granted an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The Prime Minister will also meet with Japan's Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda, to discuss bilateral issues.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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