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 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.

On February 20, 2024, the Government of Japan signed an ODA loan agreements for nine projects in India, totaling US$1.5 billion to support the achievement of the SDGs.

The projects vary in scope, including promoting start-ups and innovation, developing transportation links, improving water supply systems, enhancing sustainable horticulture, strengthening the country’s climate response, and improving medical education.

The projects are expected to contribute to the achievement of SDG #1, SDG #2, SDG #3, SDG #5, SDG #6, SDG #8, SDG #9, SDG #11, SDG #13, and SDG #15.

On February 9, 2024, the government of Japan allocated US$32 million to assist the IOM in its extensive operations across 24 countries in 2024.

This financial support is in alignment with IOM’s Global Appeal 2024, which is aimed at helping migrants, displaced persons, returnees, and communities that have been severely impacted by crises, conflicts, and the adverse effects of climate change.

The allocation earmarked the largest portion, US$6.5 million, for Ukraine, acknowledging the dire needs of the war-stricken nation. This fund is designated for the health sector, aiding vulnerable groups, and rebuilding community infrastructure, alongside supporting displaced Ukrainians in neighboring Poland and Moldova.

Over half of Japan’s contribution is directed towards 'Sub-Saharan Africa', including Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Sudan, and the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen. The two regions have been deeply affected by conflicts and disasters. Additionally, the assistance encompasses efforts to mitigate the impacts of the crisis in Sudan.

The support also extends to Asian countries like Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor Leste, focusing on communities impacted by climate change and vulnerable populations on the move. Specifically, in the Philippines and Timor Leste, the funding aims to enhance the local governments’ capacity to respond to emergencies, especially in light of the increased natural hazards brought about by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Japan’s commitment as a key partner of IOM underscored its dedication to addressing global migration challenges and supporting climate action initiatives.

In April 2024, the JICA and JAXA will mark ten years of collaboration, blending space technology with development cooperation.

JICA and JAXA's joint projects display the expanding potential of satellite data application, from disaster risk management to health and agricultural sectors. Their efforts highlight the role of space technology in sustainable social issue resolution and economic growth, aligning with the SDGs.

This partnership has significantly contributed to addressing illegal logging through JJ-FAST, which utilizes satellite data from ALOS-2 to detect deforestation. It includes initiatives such as enhancing the capabilities of developing countries' governments, like Brazil, in forest management through the use of AI alongside JJ-FAST. The project's success in sharing satellite data to combat illegal logging across 80 developing countries has provided valuable lessons in utilizing satellite data and space technology for cooperation, emphasizing open innovation.

The partnership has also facilitated capacity building in space technology. Through JJ-NeST initiative, started in 2019, JICA and JAXA have been providing educational opportunities for professionals and researchers in Southeast Asia, aiming to develop and utilize space technology in their home countries. The effort supported the cultivation of space personnel, crucial for the establishment of space agencies in partner nations.

The collaboration has also explored the use of satellite data in agriculture, enhancing productivity and efficiency in rice farming through the development of applications that combine satellite data with AI for crop monitoring and yield prediction. Efforts are being made to promote smart agriculture, including the installation of ground reference stations for precise location information, facilitating the advancement of autonomous agricultural machinery.