Female leaders from African countries attending an international conference in Tokyo have stressed the need to take measures to ensure a stable food supply.

The first Asia Pacific Africa Women's Economic Exchange Summit opened on Monday. The conference was organized by a Japanese organization supporting African nations. Participants include female leaders from seven African countries, such as Uganda and Malawi and Japanese lawmakers.

Japanese business leaders are urging US President-Elect Joe Biden to restore international order.

The Chairman of the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, called in a statement for close cooperation between the new governments of Japan and the United States, and further improvement in bilateral relations.

Japanese business leaders have been expressing what they hope to see from Suga Yoshihide, who was elected as the new leader of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Monday.

The chairman of the Japan Business Federation, Nakanishi Hiroaki, says he wants Suga to stop the further spread of coronavirus infection, while also working on economic recovery.

Top officials from Japan's ruling and opposition parties commented on Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's intention to step down.

Policy chief Kishida Fumio of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party told reporters that he will confirm the facts later.

Japanese business leaders have weighed in on what they are hoping for from Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko after she won a second term in Sunday's election.

The Chairman of the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, says Japan is entering a critical stage. Nakanishi Hiroaki says the governor should focus on containing the coronavirus and putting the economy back on track.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for a united front against the coronavirus pandemic during a video conference with his Group of Seven peers.

Abe spoke to reporters following the 50-minute conference on Monday.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the leaders of the Group of Seven countries will hold a video conference on Monday to discuss how to work together to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Abe told an Upper House committee on Monday that Japan must use its knowledge and cooperate with countries around the world to deal with the challenge.