Leaders gather for Japan G8 summit

Leaders of some of the world's richest countries are heading to Japan for the annual summit of the Group of Eight (G8) nations.

The three-day meeting, which opens on Monday at the lakeside resort of Toyako, will focus on Africa, soaring oil and food prices, and climate change.

George Bush, the US president, arrived in Japan on Sunday ahead of the summit and held talks with Yasua Fukuda, Japan's prime minister.

The two discussed economic ties and the issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea.

"I am aware that people want to make sure that the abduction issue is not ignored ... the United States will not abandon you on this issue," Bush said.

High on their agenda was also the issue of North Korea's nuclear disarmament.

Bush said North Korea's nuclear declaration was a positive step but there was more to be done to ensure the safety of the Korean peninsula.

"We are concerned about enrinched uranium ... I view this process as a multi-step process, where there'll be action for action," he said.

Fukuda said Japan and the US would continue to work together closely, underlining the strength of their diplomatic and economic ties.

G8 protests

Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom, together with Japan and the US, make up the G8 membership.