Prime Minister Abe met with Chancellor Merkel during the G7 Summit in Elmau (Germany) and expressed his gratitude for her understanding of the cabinet decision on a new legal framework for peace and security. The two leaders affirmed that Japan and Germany would cooperate on next year's summit, and Prime Minister Abe voiced his desire to "maintain the social status of women and other issues on the agenda" when it chairs the meetings next year.

<June 7 (Sunday), Elmau, Germany>