Policy Updates

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.

On January 30, 2024, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa laid out a strategy to strengthen Japan's role in addressing global challenges, promote sustainable development, and enhance infrastructure through strategic international cooperation and ODA.

Kamikawa emphasized Japan's commitment to a free and open international order based on the Rule of Law, amid challenges including Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. She noted that Japan aims to lead by example, advocating for peace and prosperity and ensuring that "human dignity" is protected worldwide, aligning with the core premise of the SDGs, "Leave no one behind."

Central to Japan's foreign policy is the strategic deployment of ODA to bolster its diplomatic efforts, promote human dignity, and address comprehensive global challenges including climate change, health security, and economic instability. Japan seeks to leverage ODA to enhance its global presence, contribute to international peace, and support the achievement of the SDGs, highlighting its role in promoting sustainable development and infrastructure enhancement worldwide.

Japan's foreign policy strategy underscored the importance of innovation and modern solutions in addressing international challenges. By integrating digital transformation, economic security initiatives, and modern technological solutions, Japan aims to enhance global health security frameworks, infrastructure resilience, and overall diplomatic effectiveness. This innovative approach is seen as vital for strengthening global partnerships and advancing a FOIP.

Reaffirming commitment to rule of law, Kamikawa and Kishida noted that Japan is actively engaging with international courts and organizations to strengthen the global legal framework. Through the promotion of FOIP, Japan is working with allies and like-minded countries to ensure regional and global stability, emphasizing the importance of ASEAN and Quad collaborations, and seeking constructive relationships with neighboring countries, including with China and South Korea.

The speeches marked a continuation of Japan's foreign policy approach to invest in ODA while making room for public-private partnerships to drive development around the world. The amicable and cooperative tone towards China and South Korea was welcomed by development advocates, with the hopes that regional solidarity will help address many of the ongoing major global issues.

The UK-Japan 21^st Century Committee is set to hold its 40^th joint meeting from February 2-4, 2024, focusing on key topics including bilateral foreign policy, international security, climate change and energy, global health, and AI.

This event continues the tradition of high-level dialogue and cooperation between the two nations. Originally established in 1985 by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, the UK - Japan 21^st Century Group, formerly known as the UK - Japan 2000 Group, serves as a vital platform for fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. Comprising leaders from the private sector, public sector, and civil society, the group’s annual conferences alternate between the UK and Japan, addressing a wide range of critical issues from educational and cultural exchange to global security and economic policies.

At the 39^th joint meeting in January 2023, held at the University of East Anglia in the UK, key discussions revolved around recent political and economic developments in both countries, global health challenges post-pandemic, and the evolving security landscape, particularly in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The conference also delved into economic security, emphasizing the need for resilient supply chains and cooperation in the face of global economic disruptions. Cooperative dialogues, rooted in shared values and strategic interests, underscored the group’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the UK - Japan partnership in various global contexts.

On January 8, 2024, in Kyiv, Ukraine, the UNDP in Ukraine and the Government of Japan jointly announced the delivery of three state-of-the-art gas turbines and assistance in transporting seven autotransformers to Ukraine.

This initiative, in coordination with Ukraine's Ministry of Energy, aims to address the urgent needs of Ukraine's energy sector for the winter of 2024 and aligns with the country's long-term national goals. The autotransformers, purchased by the Ukrainian company Ukrenergo with funds from the EBRD, is slated to bolster Ukaine's energy infrastructure.

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the winter of 2022 drastically reduced Ukraine's power generation capacity by half and disrupted essential services for approximately 93% of Ukrainians. The provision of the gas turbines and the transportation of the autotransformers is intended to prevent further disruptions in the winter of 2024, ensuring vital services for over 5.5 million people in affected regions. Additionally, the equipment aligns with Ukraine's goals for decentralization and transitioning to a green energy sector by incorporating biohydrogen fuel use.

The equipment handover ceremony was attended by Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs who reaffirmed Japan's commitment to supporting Ukraine, particularly in restoring its energy infrastructure and enduring the winter. Ukraine’s Minister of Energy expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from Japan and the UNDP, emphasizing its significance in these challenging times. The ministers noted that initiative represented a collaborative effort to not only address immediate needs but also to lay the foundation for a more sustainable and resilient energy sector in Ukraine.

On December 8, 2023, Japan made a financial commitment of US$1.5 billion to the LEAP 2 in partnership with the ADB.

The formal agreement underscored Japan’s role in co-financing resilient and sustainable infrastructure projects across Asia and the Pacific.

LEAP 2 supports the ADB’s private sector initiatives and addresses the region’s considerable infrastructure needs, estimated at an annual US$1.7 trillion. LEAP 2 maintains the same mandate as its predecessor, focusing on objectives such as reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and providing accessible services in healthcare, education, and communication.

Notably, LEAP 2 intentionally excludes investments in gas-related activities, reflecting its commitment to sustainable and impactful infrastructure development in the region.

On December 8, 2023, Japan’s modest US$10 million contribution to the Loss & Damage Fund at COP28 drew concern as it fell significantly behind the contributions of other major economies.

Advocates noted the striking disparity when juxtaposed with the contributions of countries like the UAE and Germany, which pledged $100 million each, and Italy and France, which promised even more. Advocates felt that the modest pledge from Japan reflected a broader pattern of reluctance among affluent nations to address their proportional responsibility for climate-related damages, particularly to countries that are disproportionately affected by climate change.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s statement at COP28 emphasized Japan’s intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030, leveraging its GX strategy to integrate emission reduction, stable energy supply, and economic growth. However, critiques from international groups, such as Climate Action Network, suggested that Japan’s approach may be insufficient and potentially misleading. Japanese reliance on coal, though mitigated with emerging technologies like coal co-fired with ammonia and Carbon Capture, Usage, and Storage, has been criticized for not being a genuinely clean environmental solution.

The criticism intensified regarding Japan’s continued significant reliance on coal for its 2030 energy mix, casting doubts on the legitimacy of its net-zero commitment. Advocates worry that the focus on technological solutions, while innovative, may not align with the urgency and scale required for meaningful international climate action.

Despite Japan’s claims of progress and leadership in climate action, its international reputation in this realm is less favorable. Consecutive “Fossil Awards” received at the summit by Japan underscore a perceived lack of commitment to more aggressive climate policies. Japan’s approach to supporting other Asian countries in transitioning to cleaner energy, particularly through the Asia Zero Emissions Community, is seen by some climate advocates as a continuation of fossil fuel reliance under the guise of transition.

The perspective is further complicated by the apparent discrepancy between Japan’s international financial commitments for climate change mitigation and its domestic energy policies. The contrast between Japan’s pledges to assist other nations and maintain its own coal-based energy strategy reflects a nuanced challenge of balancing domestic energy needs and economic growth with the global imperative for more radical environmental action.