David Gartner, senior counsel of U.S.-based Global AIDS Alliance, expressed hope Friday that Japan would take a lead in addressing global health problems in July's Group of Eight summit. "At last year's G-8 summit, the leaders promised to provide at least $60 billion to reach the commitment to universal access on AIDS and other infectious diseases,' said Gartner, who is visiting Japan to meet government officials and civic groups. ''At the Hokkaido summit, it is my hope that Japan will lead the G-8 to develop a detailed action plan on how to reach this important commitment to universal access, including allocating each country's share as a commitment,'' he said. Global AIDS Alliance, founded in 2001, is a group working to raise awareness about AIDS and other epidemics among the public and political leaders and help to gather resources for AIDS treatment and care