（On the G7 Summit Video Teleconference Meeting）

The leaders of the G7 nations had a candid exchange of views on the critical situation in Afghanistan. The leaders agreed on three points: making contributions to prevent humanitarian crises; calling for the protection of the rights of women among others; and closely cooperating in counter-terrorism measures. I explained that Self-Defense Forces aircraft will be dispatched to Afghanistan to evacuate Japanese nationals and local embassy staff.

The Government is actively cooperating with the G7 and other nations to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals as its top priority. I believe that the first step is to get the Self-Defense Force aircraft into Afghanistan as soon as possible to achieve their safe departure.