This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7492451.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Economy looms as key issue for G8 Economy looms as key issue for G8
(40 minutes later)
The annual summit of leading world nations will begin in Japan on Monday with the global economy and rising food and fuel costs the key issues.The annual summit of leading world nations will begin in Japan on Monday with the global economy and rising food and fuel costs the key issues.
The Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations will be joined by China, India, Brazil and South Africa, among others.The Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations will be joined by China, India, Brazil and South Africa, among others.
Ahead of the talks, US President George W Bush and Japanese PM Yasuo Fukuda urged urgent action on soaring oil and food costs and more help for Africa. Ahead of the talks, US President George W Bush and Japanese PM Yasuo Fukuda urged action on soaring oil and food costs and more help for Africa.
The G8 summit is being held at a resort on the northern island of Hokkaido.The G8 summit is being held at a resort on the northern island of Hokkaido.
Japan has spent a record sum of money and deployed about 20,000 police to seal off the remote lakeside town of Toyako before the three days of talks start on Monday.Japan has spent a record sum of money and deployed about 20,000 police to seal off the remote lakeside town of Toyako before the three days of talks start on Monday.
Japanese island locks downFocus on food, fuel and financeG8 summit: The key issuesJapanese island locks downFocus on food, fuel and financeG8 summit: The key issues
BBC economics correspondent Andrew Walker in Hokkaido says economic concerns loom large on the agenda, with the outlook much cloudier than it was at last year's summit in Germany.BBC economics correspondent Andrew Walker in Hokkaido says economic concerns loom large on the agenda, with the outlook much cloudier than it was at last year's summit in Germany.
The price of crude oil has doubled, food is more expensive and the credit crisis, which started in the US housing market, has led to slower growth in many economies, our correspondent says.The price of crude oil has doubled, food is more expensive and the credit crisis, which started in the US housing market, has led to slower growth in many economies, our correspondent says.
The Group of Eight consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.The Group of Eight consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.
They will be joined by leaders from some 15 other countries, including eight African states.They will be joined by leaders from some 15 other countries, including eight African states.
As well as discussing development issues in Africa, the G8 leaders are widely expected to condemn Robert Mugabe's controversial re-election in Zimbabwe last month.As well as discussing development issues in Africa, the G8 leaders are widely expected to condemn Robert Mugabe's controversial re-election in Zimbabwe last month.
'Concrete action''Concrete action'
Speaking at a joint news conference with Mr Fukuda on Sunday, Mr Bush acknowledged that the US economy was not as robust as he would like.Speaking at a joint news conference with Mr Fukuda on Sunday, Mr Bush acknowledged that the US economy was not as robust as he would like.
HAVE YOUR SAY Why not talk about stopping the wars in the world, as most of the G8 countries manufacture and supply the weapons Geoff Berry, Bolton, UKSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Why not talk about stopping the wars in the world, as most of the G8 countries manufacture and supply the weapons Geoff Berry, Bolton, UKSend us your comments
He also reiterated his desire to see new oil production in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve in Alaska and off the US coast.He also reiterated his desire to see new oil production in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve in Alaska and off the US coast.
Mr Fukuda said he and Mr Bush had agreed that there was "a need for swift efforts" to tackle surging oil and food prices that are "having a negative impact on the world economy".Mr Fukuda said he and Mr Bush had agreed that there was "a need for swift efforts" to tackle surging oil and food prices that are "having a negative impact on the world economy".
Meanwhile, Pope Benedict in Rome appealed to world leaders to focus on the needs of the world's poorest and most vulnerable.Meanwhile, Pope Benedict in Rome appealed to world leaders to focus on the needs of the world's poorest and most vulnerable.
In a statement, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown echoed that call, saying he expected the G8 summit to result in "concrete action" to lift people from "the most grinding poverty".In a statement, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown echoed that call, saying he expected the G8 summit to result in "concrete action" to lift people from "the most grinding poverty".
He said the world's richest nations had a responsibility to fulfil the development goals they had set themselves at the turn of the millennium.He said the world's richest nations had a responsibility to fulfil the development goals they had set themselves at the turn of the millennium.
Heavily policedHeavily policed
Hundreds of protesters again marched through Sapporo, the city closest to the venue, on the eve of the talks to demand G8 leaders take action on global warming, poverty and rising food prices.Hundreds of protesters again marched through Sapporo, the city closest to the venue, on the eve of the talks to demand G8 leaders take action on global warming, poverty and rising food prices.
Protesters wearing masks of the G8 leaders demonstrated in SapporoProtesters wearing masks of the G8 leaders demonstrated in Sapporo
The demonstration, which followed a similar protest on Saturday, was heavily policed and ended peacefully.The demonstration, which followed a similar protest on Saturday, was heavily policed and ended peacefully.
Violent anti-globalisation marches have marred past G8 meetings.Violent anti-globalisation marches have marred past G8 meetings.
Last year, Japanese officials said this summit would be about climate change and reaching agreement on a post-Kyoto Accord framework to cut greenhouse gas emissions, says the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo.Last year, Japanese officials said this summit would be about climate change and reaching agreement on a post-Kyoto Accord framework to cut greenhouse gas emissions, says the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo.
But the rising food and oil prices and their effect on the global economy and the world's poorest nations have moved up the agenda.But the rising food and oil prices and their effect on the global economy and the world's poorest nations have moved up the agenda.