Policy Updates

On May 19, 2025, Japan committed US$17 million to support Ethiopia’s infectious disease control efforts through a bilateral agreement signed in Addis Ababa in which the funding will finance the construction and equipping of a specialized facility at St. Peter Hospital with advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, enhancing Ethiopia’s capacity to manage infectious diseases.

The agreement, signed by Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and Japanese Ambassador Shibata Hironori, also prioritizes quality of care improvements, disease prevention, and capacity building. Shide described the initiative as a strategic investment in Ethiopia’s healthcare system, while Ambassador Hironori emphasized Japan’s commitment to Ethiopia’s development and global health contributions through platforms like GAVI and the Global Fund.

This collaboration underscores over a century of Ethiopia-Japan diplomatic relations and aligns with Japan’s broader efforts to strengthen Africa-Japan partnerships, including the upcoming TICAD 9 summit. The project aims to establish a center of excellence for infectious disease treatment, leveraging cutting-edge technology for efficient diagnosis and care.

On May 16, 2025, Japan announced an additional grant of JPY573 million (US$4 million) to Nepal for the improvement of the Dhulikhel Hospital Trauma and Emergency Center bringing Japan’s total grant for the project to JPY3.9 billion (US$25 million), the initiative aims to enhance Nepal’s healthcare infrastructure, improve medical service quality, and support economic growth and poverty reduction through strengthened medical care.

The grant addresses a shortage of medical equipment and beds in Nepal’s health facilities, exacerbated by rising trauma and emergency cases due to increased traffic and non-communicable diseases like stroke and heart disease. The project will construct a trauma and emergency center at Dhulikhel Hospital, a key medical hub near Kathmandu.

The agreement was signed in Kathmandu by Japanese Ambassador Maeda Toru and Nepal’s Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, in the presence of Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ikuina Akiko and Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel.

On April 7, 2025, JICA signed a grant agreement to provide equipment aimed at promoting emergency recovery and sustainable economic reconstruction,

The agreement focuses on supporting Ukraine’s recovery from ongoing challenges by enhancing infrastructure and providing critical resources to stabilize its economy. This initiative aligns with Japan’s commitment to fostering resilience and supporting reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected regions.

On April 4, 2025, Japan announced US$6 million in emergency assistance to support relief efforts in Myanmar following the earthquake disaster.

The funding will be used to provide food, shelter, and medical assistance to affected communities. Additionally, Japan has deployed a 32-member Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team to Yangon to assist with humanitarian needs on the ground. This assistance underscores Japan’s commitment to disaster response and its ongoing support for Myanmar during times of crisis.

On April 2, 2025, Japan announced an emergency grant of approximately US$6 million to support those affected by the devastating earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, 2025.

The grant will be channeled through international organizations to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, and medical assistance.

This funding complements Japan's broader relief efforts, which include deploying a Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team and emergency relief goods through JICA. The government emphasized its commitment to delivering assistance that directly benefits the people of Myanmar, addressing critical needs amidst ongoing rescue operations.

On March 27, 2025, Japan signed and exchanged notes with Honduras for a grant of JPY640 million (US$4 million) under The Economic and Social Development Program, which aims to improve access to radiotherapy by providing cancer treatment equipment to public medical institutions in Honduras.

The program addresses critical healthcare challenges, including high cancer mortality rates and a lack of radiotherapy equipment. It builds on a trilateral cooperation agreement signed in September 2024 between Japan, Honduras, and the IAEA. The initiative also includes training for cancer treatment specialists to enhance healthcare capacity.

On February 18, 2025, JICA signed a Contribution Agreement with the IDB and IDB Invest, pledging up to US$1.5 billion to the TADAC.

This project aims to support private sector initiatives in the region to help narrow the financing gap for the SDGs commitments within the region, as out of 169 SDGs targets, the region is currently only on track to meet 30 by 2030.

On January 17, 2025, JICA announced a new partnership with the AIIB which aims to support infrastructure development in Asia, with a focus on enhancing sustainable and resilient infrastructure to address regional challenges.

JICA and AIIB will jointly finance projects and share expertise to promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, and poverty reduction in Asia.

On December 17, 2024, the Government of Japan committed US$10 million for the Project for the Recovery of Maternal and Child Health Equipment in flood-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and US$19 million for the Flood Management Enhancement Project in the Indus Basin. The agreements were signed in Islamabad between Japanese officials and Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The health project focuses on equipping 21 facilities in the Hazara Division to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates by improving medical services such as institutional deliveries, caesarean sections, and ultrasound examinations by 2029. It aims to enhance care quality, boost trust in the healthcare system, and ensure equitable access to high-quality services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The flood management project will install 45 hydrological and hydraulic observation networks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab and rehabilitate river structures to mitigate economic losses from flash floods in the Indus River basin. Integrating the "Build Back Better" approach strengthens disaster resilience and improves river management data. Japan’s contributions align with its US$77 million pledge made at the Geneva Conference, underscoring its commitment to improving health and disaster preparedness in Pakistan.

On December 15, 2024, Japan hosted the 17^th THMM with China and South Korea, focusing on public health security, healthy aging, and strengthening health systems to achieve UHC.

The ministers discussed improving PPR, tackling AMR, and promoting joint clinical trials and regulatory alignment across Asia. Japan highlighted the importance of strengthening health workforces, fostering innovation, and increasing cooperation between public health institutes. The countries agreed on an updated Memorandum of Cooperation and Joint Action Plan to improve coordinated responses to future global health emergencies.

On healthy aging, the countries shared strategies for preventive care, integrating long-term healthcare systems, and using technologies like care robots and ICT to meet the needs of aging populations. They also emphasized joint research on aging-related care, considering the cultural and demographic similarities of the three nations.

The three countries committed to strengthening health systems to achieve UHC, promoting digital transformation for equitable healthcare access, and supporting initiatives like Japan’s UHC Knowledge Hub, set to launch in 2025. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to collaborative health solutions, with South Korea scheduled to host the next THMM in 2025.