Japan selects Osaka to host G-20 summit in 2019

TOKYO - The Japanese government said Wednesday it will host the 2019 summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies in the western region of Osaka.

Next year's summit will mark the first time that Japan has hosted the summit.

The decision was made by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe based on the city successfully hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 1995, the government's top spokesperson said.

According to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, in determining the host city, the government conducted numerous surveys of potential municipalities, which were adjudged based on security issues and their ability to accommodate leaders and officials from overseas.

In choosing Osaka as the host city, the government "comprehensively took into consideration such factors as the number of hotel rooms and security aspects," Suga said.

The summit had been slated to be held between the end of June and the beginning of July, although Suga said the summit's schedule has yet to be finalized.

The southwestern city of Fukuoka has also been selected to host a meeting of G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors, Suga also indicated.

In November 2017, the city of Osaka in twine with the prefecture, put forward its bid to host the summit to the Foreign Ministry, highlighting the Intex Osaka convention center as an appropriate facility.