Karuizawa Security Tightened as G7 Talks Approach

Heightened security measures followed an explosion near the venue where Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was slated to deliver a speech in Karuizawa, the resort town hosting the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting scheduled for April 16 to 18. Police patrols were visibly on duty at the city’s central station, and on Sunday, a portion of the exits to the hotel where the ministerial events will take place were planned to be closed as a precautionary measure. Local authorities stressed that the aim of these steps was to ensure the safety of attendees and residents alike while preparations for the meetings continued in a calm and orderly manner. The situation prompted a temporary uptick in security presence and traffic management, reflecting standard operating procedures for high-profile diplomatic gatherings in Japan. According to official reporting, additional measures were arranged in coordination with national security and local police units to monitor potential threats and maintain normal transit flow for the public and conference participants.