Japan PM tells G-7 of need to shield economies from inflation

MUNICH (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told his fellow Group of Seven leaders that they need to jointly protect their economies from rising prices amid Russia's war on Ukraine, a Japanese government official said Sunday.

Kishida was quoted as telling the leaders' summit in southern Germany that the G-7 should maintain pressure and sanctions on Russia over its invasion.

The Japanese leader also stressed the importance of ensuring economic security, adding that the G-7 needs to show a "clear" stance on economic coercion, an apparent reference to China, the official said.

Kishida also said the G-7 needs to keep a close watch on "rapid" currency moves, at a time when the yen has fallen sharply.