The G7 foreign ministers have also talked about maritime issues, saying they strongly oppose provocation in the East and South China Seas.

In a statement released after the Hiroshima talks, the ministers expressed their strong opposition to what they called "any intimidating coercive, or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions".

The reference to the South China Sea issue is despite the fact that no G7 nation has any territory inside or along the South China sea. And no G7 nation has filed any claims in the ongoing disputes.