The Latest: G-7 leaders arrive at Japan’s sacred Ise shrine

ISE, Japan – The latest news on the Group of Seven summit in Japan, where the leaders of the seven advanced economies are meeting for two days (all times local):

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11 a.m.

The leaders of the G-7 nations are arriving at Ise Jingu, (ee-say jin-gu) a shrine that is the most hallowed site for Japan’s indigenous Shinto religion.

They pulled up individually in black cars, and shook hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who greeted each one near a tall traditional shrine gate.

Each leader than walked across a famous arched wooden bridge and greeted what appeared to be shrine officials on the other side, before continuing into the sanctuary.

The visit to the shrine is taking place ahead of the G-7 meetings that being later Thursday.

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10 a.m.

The leaders of Italy, Germany and France have arrived in Japan for the annual summit meeting of seven major industrial nations.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande landed separately Thursday morning at an airport near the city of Nagoya in central Japan.

They are joining the leaders of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom nd host Japan at the two-day meeting at an island resort hotel in Shima, Japan.