Policy Updates

On June 11, 2024, Japan hosted the Japan-Ukraine Public-Private Roundtable in Germany to discuss measures for the restoration and reconstruction of Ukraine, involving both public and private sectors.

Approximately 60 Japanese and Ukrainian companies participated in the conference. The meeting aimed to expand cooperation in fields such as agriculture, renewable energy, and housing construction.

In February 2024, during the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo, the two countries agreed on seven key areas of support, including social infrastructure and demining. They signed over 50 cooperation agreements to facilitate specific forms of support.

The restoration of Ukraine’s agriculture is a critical focus, given that agricultural land accounts for 70% of Ukraine’s total land area. Japan plans to sign five memoranda of understanding to bolster Ukraine’s agricultural production. Companies including Yanmar Agribusiness Co. and Kubota Corp. discussed supplying agricultural machinery with Ukrainian authorities. Additionally, the Japanese government pledged to streamline customs clearance procedures to support these initiatives.

In the renewable energy sector, Japan and Ukraine aim to strengthen cooperation in developing wind power and other renewable sources. This initiative aligns with the broader goals discussed during the G7+ energy meeting held on June 11, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Japanese Vice Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Kazuchika Iwata, emphasized Japan’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s energy needs and facilitating collaboration between companies from both nations.

During the Berlin conference, Iwata also met with Polish Special Representative for Ukraine Development Cooperation Pawel Kowal. They discussed enhancing collaboration between Japan and Poland in support of Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts, given Poland’s pivotal role in Ukraine’s recovery.

On May 23-25, 2024, the G7 Ministers of Finance met at a summit in Stresa, Italy, where the ministers voiced support for contributions to the IDA, WHO, Gavi, and the Global Fund in the resulting communiqué.

The G7 ministers supported efforts towards a successful 21^st replenishment of the IDA by the end of 2024 through an ambitious policy and financing package. Notably, they did not give a concrete signal that the critical US$100 billion threshold requested by the World Bank will be crossed, nor any indication of the US$120 billion expected by African leaders.

The ministers reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the governance and finance of the global health architecture and voiced support for refinancing processes of several GHIs, such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the WHO, and the Global Fund, and expressed support for the Pandemic Fund. The communiqué called on the donor community to coordinate efforts and increase investments in global health in line with their capacities to ensure sustainable funding and maximize the impact of available resources.

Following the summit, the C7 pointed out the G7's lack of ambition and financial commitment to international development, including climate adaptation. International civil society organizations criticized the lack of any reference to allocating SDRs to global solidarity.

On May 14-15, 2024, the C7 summit was held at the UN FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, organized by the Italian Civil Society Coalition that led, coordinated, and moderated the C7 2024 process.

Approximately 400 global representatives took part in the event, as well as international decision-makers, including FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, Italian G7 sherpa Ambassador Elisabetta Belloni, Cardinal, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Pope’s envoy for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict Matteo Maria Zuppi, and Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign Marina Ponti.

The official C7 communiqué that listed the international civil society recommendation to the G7’s Leaders around seven key issues was released at the event, which included:

• Economic justice and transformation;
• Climate, energy transformation, and environmental justice;
• Global health;
• Principled humanitarian assistance;
• Peace, common security, and nuclear disarmament;
• Human mobility and migration; and
• Food justice and food systems transformation.

On May 9, 2024, JICA and G7 countries’ development finance institutions gave a joint statement on coordinated responses to global crises such as climate change and food security.

The statement emphasized collaboration through financial and investment channels, mobilizing private funds, and supporting initiatives such as climate change mitigation, quality infrastructure development, food security, assistance for Ukraine, and the Impact Investment Initiative. The regional focus is on Africa and other low-income regions, leveraging G7 public development banks and DFIs to promote sustainable development.

The G7 public development banks and DFIs committed to addressing global challenges during the 2024 Italian G7 presidency, focusing on climate and energy, infrastructure, sustainable food systems, support for Ukraine, health, gender equality, and artificial intelligence. They noted goals to enhance coordination and act as facilitators between public and private sectors to support high-impact projects, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future.

On April 25, 2024, Japan and Nigeria signed a JPY15 billion (US$97 million) loan agreement aimed at addressing Nigeria’s food security crisis by investing in agricultural infrastructure.

Under the terms of the grant, Nigeria will benefit from favorable conditions, including a low-interest rate and a lengthy repayment period of 30 years, with a grace period of 10 years. The loan is untied, allowing Nigeria flexibility in procuring necessary goods and services for its agricultural sector. By providing financial assistance for agricultural reforms, improved access to inputs for small-scale farmers, and enhancing domestic production capacity, Japan’s support seeks to contribute to the stability and development of Nigeria’s economy and society.

Japan’s commitment to aiding Nigeria’s food security aligns with its broader engagement in African development initiatives. At the TICAD8 in August 2022, Japan pledged to address food crises and support sustainable agricultural production in the region.

On April 14, 2024, the C7 published a statement ahead of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Capri from April 17-19, 2024, where the group called on the foreign ministers to take concrete action to promote human rights as well as the common interests of humanity and the planet.

The C7 advocated that the G7 ministers reaffirm their commitment to developing long-term peace-building strategies that address persistent structural challenges at the basis of conflicts, ensure food security even in fragile settings, and address a profound transformation of food systems. The group also called upon their governmental counterparts to ensure safe and regular migration channels and commit to protecting migrant rights.

On March 27, 2024, Japan announced a grant of JPY5 billion (US$34 million) to the WFP to support emergency food assistance in 15 partner countries in Africa.\
This assistance was announced in response to worsening food insecurity due to conflicts, terrorism, natural disasters, and other factors exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine.

The grant will enable WFP to distribute food assistance, including cereals, pulses, vegetable oil, and food vouchers, to address severe hunger, food shortages, and malnutrition in the region. Specifically, funds will be allocated to assist crisis-affected populations in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, and Mali, where millions face hunger due to conflict, climate crises, and economic challenges.

The contribution reflected Japan’s commitment to addressing food security and sustainable agriculture, as outlined in previous TICADs. With TICAD9 scheduled for 2025, Japan aims to further improve food insecurity in Africa.

On March 22, 2024, it was announced that TICAD 9 will be held in Yokohama, Japan from August 20-25, 2025.

TICAD is an international conference led by the Japanese government in collaboration with various international organizations such as the UN, the UNDP, the African Union Commission, and the World Bank. The conference aims to promote high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners, including Japan, to address the developmental challenges facing Africa.

In previous iterations, the conference focused on key issues such as economic development, poverty reduction, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and sustainable development in Africa. TICAD has been held regularly since its inception in 1993 and is considered one of the most significant platforms for African development cooperation.

On February 29, 2024, Japan committed approximately US$42 million to enhance food security in 15 countries.

The contribution aimed to support WFP efforts to reach those most vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition due to conflicts, terrorism, political instability, natural disasters, price hikes from the Ukraine invasion, climate change, and diseases.

The initiative aims to provide essential food supplies and vouchers to those facing extreme food insecurity and malnutrition in these regions, targeting refugees, internally displaced persons, women, and children. It seeks to alleviate food shortages and stabilize the food supply, contributing significantly to the food security of the affected nations.

While the contribution targeted 15 countries in SSA, the press release did not name specific countries.

The contribution is part of Japan’s ongoing commitment to addressing food crises and supporting sustainable agricultural production in Africa, as affirmed at the TICAD8 and the G7 Hiroshima Summit, embodying Japan’s dedication to aiding vulnerable regions in food and nutrition sectors.

On November 1, 2023, the Japanese government announced the reopening of the JICA Ukraine office.

The office had been closed since the January 2022 lead-up to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Staff from the office have since been working from neighboring countries.

JICA is responsible for over US$1.1 billion of assistance provided by Japan. It noted plans to use its Kyiv office to facilitate projects in the areas of agriculture, education, and industry. The organization will increase its presence in Ukraine and is expected to commence fully-fledged operations next year.