Japan may invite Aust to G8 summit: reports
Posted
Australia's dispute with Japan over whaling does not seem to have affected the two countries' diplomatic ties, with reports that Japan looks set to invite Australia to be its guest at this year's G8 summit.
Japan will host this year's G8 summit at Lake Toya on the northern island of Hokkaido.
As the host, Japan is able to invite non G8 countries to attend the summit as observers.
Reports in the Japanese media suggest that Australia, South Korea and Indonesia are likely to receive invitations, in line with government policy of increasing diplomatic focus on the Asia region.
If an invitation does arrive, it will be in spite of Japan and Australia's dispute over whaling.
Visiting Japan last week, Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the two countries had agreed to disagree on the matter.