Policy Updates

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.

On December 1, 2024, Japan approved a supplementary budget totaling JPY52.4 billion (US$352 million) for global health-related initiatives in FY2024, which focuses on several overarching themes, including combating infectious diseases, enhancing health equity, strengthening health systems in developing regions, and preparing for future pandemics.

It also aims to promote UHC, expand vaccine accessibility, and foster innovation in medical technology. These initiatives are strategically aligned with Japan’s goals of improving global health outcomes while supporting its economic and diplomatic interests.

The funding will be allocated across the following initiatives:

• JPY290 million (US$2 million) to promote foreign medical talent development in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing health standards and economic growth;
• JPY120 million (US$800,000) to medical inbound projects, linking foreign patient demand to Japan’s medical and regional economic growth;
• JPY22.1 billion (US$148 million) to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and support pandemic preparedness in developing countries;
• JPY7.7 billion (US$52 million) to CEPI to accelerate vaccine development for epidemic-prone diseases like Ebola and coronaviruses;
• JPY2.8 billion (US$19 million) for GHIT to advance R&D for treatments for neglected tropical diseases, tuberculosis, and malaria;
• JPY2.4 billion (US$16 million) to WHO for Monkeypox prevention, response, and health system strengthening in outbreak-affected regions;
• JPY200 million (US$1 million) to establish a WHO UHC Knowledge Hub, promoting global health equity and knowledge sharing;
• JPY1.3 billion (US$9 million) for Gavi to strengthen vaccine access and immunization efforts in low-income countries;
• JPY300 million (US$2 million) to support research and development for effective treatments for emerging infectious diseases;
• JPY160 million (US$1 million) to enhance public health crisis management through research on emerging diseases, Mpox, and syphilis prevention;
• JPY6.5 billion (US$44 million) to prepare for the establishment of the National Institute for Health Crisis Management; and
• JPY8.5 billion (US$57 million) to enhance the infection response capacity of designated medical facilities for emerging diseases.

Japan’s strategic allocation of these funds reflects its dual objectives of improving global health outcomes and fostering the global expansion of its health industries.

On November 29, 2024, Japan approved the supplementary budget for FY2024, amounting to JPY13.9 trillion (US$92.4 billion), focusing on alleviating economic pressures domestically, such as rising living costs and energy expenses and maintaining commitments to global engagement and development.

Of the total amount, Japan allocated JPY265 billion (US$1.8 billion) to enhance its engagement with the LICs. This allocation aims to strengthen partnerships with LICs and support initiatives aligned with Japan’s broader ODA strategy, such as infrastructure development, capacity building, and sustainable growth.

Japan designated JPY26.9 billion (US$180 million) for Ukraine and neighboring countries, signaling Japan’s commitment to providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to reconstruction efforts. This funding aligns with Japan’s role in the international response to the ongoing conflict, consistent with its commitments under the G7 framework.

The allocations underscore Japan’s continued emphasis on international development as part of its broader foreign policy strategy, using targeted financial support to foster stability and resilience in key regions.

On November 22, 2024, JICA signed a grant agreement with the Ethiopian government to provide JPY1.5 billion (US$10 million) for the development of secondary schools in the Sidama region in Ethiopia.

This initiative aims to enhance educational access and improve learning environments, particularly for girls, through gender-sensitive infrastructure and equipment.

The project involves constructing new secondary schools, procuring classroom furniture, educational tools, and providing consulting services. By addressing barriers to education and promoting gender equality, this program intends to support Ethiopia’s educational development and aligns with SDGs 4 (Quality Education) and 5 (Gender Equality).

On November 20, 2024, the Japanese government pledged US$70 billion in public and private climate support for 'developing countries' through 2025 at COP29 in Baku.

Japanese Minister of the Environment Asao Keiichiro emphasized Japan’s role in advancing global climate finance, contributing to the NCQG while doubling adaptation funding, and providing an initial US$10 million to the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage.

Japan outlined its comprehensive approach to mitigation and adaptation, including updating its NDCs by February 2025, launching the GX 2040 Vision and accelerating international carbon market projects under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The initiative is focused on leveraging circular economy principles, expanding carbon market mechanisms, and enhancing transparency through the Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform.

Japan’s financial and strategic contributions underline its commitment to achieving the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal. Asao called for urgent global collaboration to secure operational rules for Article 6 and to ensure the success of COP29 through ambitious, cooperative, and transparent climate action.

On November 11, 2024, JICA announced a new climate strategy for agricultural and rural development cooperation to address the pressing need for climate resilience and sustainable practices, particularly in developing nations facing heightened climate risks.

Emphasizing human security, this strategy aligns with Japan’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and integrates both adaptation and mitigation measures across JICA’s agricultural and rural projects to enhance food security, bolster livelihoods, and strengthen resilience against climate impacts.

The strategy identifies six core actions:

• Developing climate impact assessment tools;
• Proposing customized adaptation approaches;
• Reviewing current projects for climate impacts;
• Incorporating resilience in new projects;
• Promoting mitigation techniques; and
• Advancing knowledge-sharing efforts.

Key focal areas include:

• Enhancing water resource efficiency;
• Promoting sustainable farming; and
• Supporting innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in regions heavily affected by climate change.

Through this framework, JICA aims to create more sustainable agriculture systems by 2030. The strategy fosters cross-sector collaboration, data-informed assessments, and practical climate solutions to build resilient rural economies. Japan is also committed to sharing insights and findings internationally, thus contributing to global efforts toward climate-smart agriculture and rural development.

On November 11, 2024, Japan and the US released it's strategy to enable the ADB to increase climate-related lending by up to US$7.2 billion over the next five years.

Japan has committed a sovereign guarantee of US$600 million, while the US provides US$1 billion, marking the first-ever use of sovereign guarantees specifically for climate finance. These guarantees will allow the ADB to lend more for climate initiatives without requiring new capital from member countries, setting a precedent for other development banks to follow.

This initiative supports the ADB’s long-term goal of providing US$100 billion in climate finance by 2030. Projects benefiting from this expanded lending include a sustainable aviation fuel program in Pakistan, partially funded by US$45 million from the ADB under this scheme. The guarantees will extend for 25 years, providing stability for long-term climate investments while addressing pressing environmental challenges in affected nations.

Japan’s leadership in this effort aligns with its broader commitment to addressing global climate issues. The ADB is sharing its model with other MDBs, including the WB and EIB, to enhance climate-related financing mechanisms. This approach responds to the estimated need for over US$2 trillion annually by 2030 to enable LMICs to transition to clean energy and adapt to a changing climate.

On November 1, 2024, the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s LDP lost its majority for the first time since 2009 during Japan’s recent Lower House election, significantly impacting the political landscape.

Ishiba, who called the election before officially assuming office, pledged to address public discontent, particularly around a recent political funding scandal and rising costs of living that have eroded the LDP's approval. Amid inflation and stagnant wages, public frustration is widespread, with many struggling to manage escalating prices for essentials.

The LDP saw its seat count fall to 191 from 247, and its coalition partner Komeito dropped from 32 seats to 24. The main opposition, the CDP, gained 50 seats, totaling 148, while the DPP notably grew to 28 seats, positioning it as a key player in the upcoming prime ministerial election.

Given this power shift, it is highly likely that the existing process might face challenges in making decisions regarding the allocation of financial resources internationally, as well as determining which development or global health topics to focus on.

On October 31, 2024, South Korean Minister Kyu-hong Cho attended the 2024 G20 Health Ministers‘ Meeting and Joint Finance and Health Ministers‘ Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In discussions with representatives from various countries, Minister Cho explored ways to enhance equity in healthcare access and achieve UHC by building a sustainable and resilient global health system.

He emphasized the efficient use of resources for pandemic prevention, response, and preparedness and underscored the importance of a balanced review of the characteristics, advantages, and limitations of various health crisis financing options.

The Health Ministers' Meeting joint declaration, the first in three years, will be an outcome of the upcoming G20 Summit and a significant milestone for future international health meetings and negotiations.