During his trip to the other Group of Eight countries, Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori met with Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom in London. Prime Minister Mori briefed Prime Minister Blair on the agenda of the July G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit and requested his cooperation. The two leaders agreed that the information technology revolution and measures to lessen the so-called digital divide would be important topics at the Summit. Prime Minister Blair pledged his cooperation to ensure the success of the Summit, based on his relationship of friendship and trust with Prime Minister Mori.
In addition, members of a rugby club made up mainly of members of parliament paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Mori and presented him with a jersey in the club colors, red and black. Prime Minister Mori and the British MPs enjoyed a lively discussion of rugby, their common passion.