After this year’s summit, Japan is set to assume the G-20 presidency, currently held by Argentina, for the first time.
Osaka, currently vying to host the 2025 World Exposition, hopes to boost its international recognition through the G-20 summit, which will provide an opportunity for world leaders to gather and discuss the state of the economy and other global issues.
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for its part, hopes the international meeting will add impetus to its yearslong efforts to revitalize regional economies.
Aichi Prefecture and the city of Fukuoka had also expressed interest in hosting the leaders’ gathering. Fukuoka is expected to host a summit for finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the G-20 economies.
The summit date will likely be set for sometime between June and November, given that unified local elections and the abdication of Emperor Akihito will take place in the spring of 2019.
The G-20 includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States and the European Union.
