Policy Updates

On September 5, 2024, Australian and Japanese officials met in Victoria to strengthen their Special Strategic Partnership at the 11th Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations.

Foreign affairs and defense ministers committed to reinforce collaboration through ASEAN. This would support the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Australia will support the Asia Zero Emission Center which aims to increase the uptake of clean energy in the region. The two countries committed to improve the undersea cable infrastructure in the Pacific. They will also support pilot projects in the Pacific to improve cyber resilience.

On July 18, 2024, PALM10 took place, co-chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, with leaders and representatives from 19 countries and regions, including Japan, 14 Pacific Island countries, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Australia, and New Zealand.

The meeting focused on seven main topics aligned with the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy, which entailed:

• Political leadership and regionalism;
• People-centered development;
• Peace and security;
• Resources and economic development;
• Climate change and disasterss;
• Ocean and environment; and
• Technology and connectivity.

The leaders discussed regional and international affairs, reaffirming the Japan-Pacific partnership and adopting the PALM10 Leaders’ Declaration and Joint Action Plan.

Key sessions included:

• Opening Session: Kishida emphasized Japan's commitment to elevate relations and support the region's unity under the 2050 Strategy;
• Session 1: Focused on development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Japan surpassed its previous commitment, developing human resources for 7,500 people. Discussions included the safety of ALPS treated water discharge;
• Session 2: Addressed climate change and disaster resilience. Kishida announced the Pacific Climate Resilience Initiative with three pillars: disaster risk reduction, promoting decarbonization, and supporting Pacific-led efforts. Efforts to combat illegal fishing and maintain a stable Pacific Ocean were also emphasized;
• Session 3: Focused on people-centered development, economic development, and technology. Japan committed to continuing support in education, health, and infrastructure development, including submarine cables;
• Working Lunch Agenda 1: Discussed international cooperation for peace and security, upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific" and addressing issues like UN Security Council reform and North Korean threats; and
• Working Lunch Agenda 2: Kishida pledged further development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges for 6,500 people through 2027.

The meeting concluded with reaffirmations of partnership and future cooperation plans, highlighting the mutual commitment to tackling regional challenges and fostering development.

On July 2, 2024, Japanese NGO Keizai Doyukai and the ADB Group convened in Tokyo to discuss enhancing private sector investment in Africa, with a particular focus on engaging youth.

Established in 2009, Keizai Doyukai’s Africa committee seeks to foster growth through increased trade and investment, reflecting a commitment to mutual development.

The meeting also addressed climate finance, critical minerals, and climate change adaptation. CEO of Shibusawa and Co. Ken Shibusawa highlighted the upcoming TICAD9 in 2025, emphasizing youth engagement as a major theme. Vice President of the ADB Group Kevin Kariuki highlighted Japan's recent US$10 million funding for the AGIA, which aims to make projects more attractive to private investors. The Bank Group’s chief economist, Kevin Urama, stressed that Africa's growth heavily depends on private sector involvement.

Shibusawa and Kariuki cited successful ventures, like the Menengai geothermal project in Kenya, to illustrate Japan's strengths. The ADB, with its deep ties in Africa, provides risk mitigation tools and advises Japanese investors in the region. Discussions also explored using Japanese development assistance to drive private infrastructure investment, demonstrating Keizai Doyukai’s ongoing efforts to bolster economic ties and private sector engagement in Africa.

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 28, 2024, Japan announced its intent to join the ATACH at the 77^th World Health Assembly.

At COP28 in December 2023, Japan, along with 142 other countries, adopted the COP28 UAE Climate and Health Declaration to raise awareness of climate change’s health impacts and promote international cooperation. The World Health Assembly also adopted the WHO’s 14^th General Programme of Work for 2025-2028, which emphasizes climate change and health among its strategic objectives.

Japan has been advancing policies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, such as the GX2040 Vision and the Basic Energy Plan. The Osaka Blue Ocean Vision and the revised SDGs Implementation Plan also underscore the interconnectedness of global challenges and the importance of planetary health.

By joining ATACH, Japan aims to:

• Build climate-resilient healthcare systems;
• Promote sustainable low-carbon healthcare;
• Address the comprehensive interaction between climate change and health;
• Enhance research and cooperation on health and climate change; and
• Expand investments in climate and health initiatives.

Japan’s participation in ATACH is expected to involve multiple government ministries and promote cross-sectoral efforts to tackle planetary health challenges, including the impacts of chemicals, waste, and pollution, and to ensure a sustainable environment for health.

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 10, 2024, during Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s Official Visit with State Dinner to the US, Japan emphasized its commitment to international cooperation in addressing pressing global challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Collaboration with the US spanned various areas, including climate change, infrastructure investment, and global health initiatives. Both nations expressed their intention to work together to ensure a successful outcome at the 29^th UNCCC and to certify quality infrastructure projects through the establishment of a Blue Dot Network Secretariat.

In the realm of global health, Japan welcomed the opening of the US CDC Regional Office for East Asia and the Pacific in Tokyo, aimed at strengthening core global health security capacities across the region. Additionally, discussions between the USAID and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs centered on advancing shared global health priorities, reflecting a commitment to enhancing health outcomes in vulnerable populations worldwide.

Japan and the US also reaffirmed their dedication to diplomacy, development, and humanitarian assistance, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. This commitment is demonstrated through initiatives such as the Japan - US - Mekong Power Partnership and contributions to strengthen critical infrastructure and climate resilience in partner countries. The two nations pledged to collaborate on strengthening the international financial architecture to support low- and middle-income countries in addressing global challenges, including climate change and sustainable development.

On April 4, 2024, Japan and Pakistan formalized additional grant agreements totaling approximately US$10 million for climate and hleath related projects.

Installation of Meteorological Radar in Sukkur City saw funding increase from JPY2 billion (US$13 million) to JPY2.8 billion (US$18 million). The grant Expansion of Maternal and Child Health Facilities in Sindh Province increased from JPY3.4 billion (US$22 million) to JPY4.1 billion (US$27 million). These adjustments reflected the necessity to address rising equipment costs and enhance the impact of these initiatives.

The meteorological radar project is slated to respond to Pakistan’s vulnerability to frequent natural disasters, including floods and landslides. With its geographical features making it prone to such calamities, Pakistan faces significant challenges in disaster management. The project aims to bolster the country’s disaster preparedness by installing a modern meteorological radar system in Sukkur City, located in Sindh Province. This upgrade will enhance Pakistan’s ability to monitor weather patterns accurately, issue timely warnings, and implement effective disaster risk reduction strategies.

The MNCH project is slated to address critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in maternal and child health services. Pakistan’s healthcare system, especially in Sindh Province, faces challenges in providing adequate maternal and child care, leading to high maternal and infant mortality rates. The project focuses on establishing a new maternal and child health center and upgrading medical equipment at Liaquat University Hospital in Hyderabad, Sindh Province. By strengthening diagnostic and treatment capabilities, this initiative aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes for mothers and children in Pakistan, contributing to the country’s overall health system resilience and development.