Policy Updates

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Japan provides US$1.5 billion in ODA loans to support India’s achievement of SDGs

February 20, 2024 | Japan, Gender Equality, Global Health, Climate, WASH & Sanitation | Share this update

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.

Press release - Japan International Cooperation Agency

Japan pledges US$4 million for girls’ education in West Africa

February 19, 2024 | Japan, Education, Gender Equality | Share this update

On February 16, 2023, Japan committed JPY481 million (US$4 million) to a UNESCO project aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for girls in West Africa.

The funding initiative seeks to address the critical challenges of gender disparities and low educational attainment among girls in the Sahel region and its surroundings. The project focuses on training teachers and improving educational facilities in countries including Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Mauritania. It is designed to provide safe, high-quality education for girls, thereby contributing to regional peace and stability.

The effort aligns with the African Union's declaration of 2024 as the “Year of Education” and Japan's broader commitment to supporting education in Africa. This includes previous pledges to improve access to quality education for 4 million girls and substantial financial support aimed at promoting peace and sustainable growth in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea nations.

Press release - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese)

Japan establishes Women, Peace, and Security taskforce

January 29, 2024 | Japan, Gender Equality | Share this update

On January 29, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan established the Taskforce on WPS under the leadership of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The taskforce will aim to enhance coordination across the ministry and integrate Japan’s unique initiatives in areas like disaster risk reduction with the broader goal of advancing WPS. The minister highlighted the critical role of women in achieving sustained peace through their participation in conflict prevention, reconstruction, and peace building, as well as in leadership positions.

A new documentary was also released with the taskforce announcement. It highlighted the contributions of Japanese women working in conflict-affected countries, focusing on the significance and challenges of cooperation in the context of WPS. The documentary explored Japan’s strengths in providing detailed support through the experiences of three women involved in conflict prevention, the international standard Minimum Data Set, and humanitarian assistance to women and the impoverished.

The formation of the WPS taskforce and the stories of Japanese women’s involvement in international assistance displayed Japan's commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in peace and security contexts. The initiatives aligned with the foundational principles of the UNSC's Resolution 1325 on WPS, which Japan has committed to through the formulation and implementation of three national WPS action plans.

Press release - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of JapanPress release - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese)

Japan and UN Women celebrate women’s socioeconomic resilience project in Pakistan

January 24, 2024 | Japan, Gender Equality, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, Global Health | Share this update

On January 22, 2024, UN Women and the Government of Japan celebrated the success of the Women’s Socio-Economic Resilience Project in Pakistan.

The initiative, supported by a US$2 million contribution from Japan, focused on providing essential relief and protection services to women and girls in flood-affected areas of Pakistan, enhancing their resilience and adaptability to emergencies and disasters.

The UN Women Representative in Pakistan expressed gratitude for Japan’s financial support, pivotal in efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in Pakistan. The funds from the Japanese government were used for delivering essential humanitarian services, including psychosocial support, raising awareness about GBV, assistance for survivors of GBV, help with civic documentation applications, and entrepreneurship development. Relief goods supplied to women included mother kits, baby kits, and inclusion kits, underscoring the commitment to the well-being and empowerment of women and girls in challenging situations.

Pakistani Secretary of the Planning and Development Department of the Government highlighted the significance of Japan’s support during a critical time for the women and girls in the flood-affected areas. The support was crucial in providing essential services and enabling women and girls to assume leadership roles within their communities.

The Consul General of Japan in Karachi reiterated Japan’s commitment to ensuring women’s human rights and combating gender-based violence. In partnership with UN Women, Japan has focused on promoting safety, protection, and nurturing leadership and resilience among flood-affected women and girls. The collaboration is part of a long-standing global partnership between Japan and UN Women, covering various aspects such as gender equality, women’s empowerment, and disability inclusion.

Press release - Embassy of Japan in Pakistan

Japan provides US$5 million grant to address GBV in South Sudan

November 28, 2023 | Japan, Gender Equality | Share this update

On November 28, 2023, Japan approved a JPY732 million (US$5 million) grant for a UNDP initiative addressing GBV in South Sudan.

The initiative is slated to establish community centers to enhance preparedness and response to GBV. The project addresses the severe impact of GBV in South Sudan, particularly against women and girls, which has been exacerbated by tribal conflicts and a lack of comprehensive support services.

The plan focuses on the Central, Eastern, and Western Equatoria states with the stated goal of creating a safe environment for GBV victims and vulnerable women. Key components included economic empowerment, social reintegration, judicial services, psychological care, technical training, and the development of community centers. The initiative is intended to empower GBV victims, promote social reintegration, and foster economic independence, which contribute to the improvement of inclusive social services in South Sudan.

Japan’s commitment aligns with the women, peace, and security action plan addressing sexual violence in conflict zones. This initiative reflects Japan’s efforts, as expressed during TICAD8 in August 2022, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the capacity of judicial authorities to respond to GBV and sexual violence in conflict zones.

Press release - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Japan addresses climate change, digital governance, women-led development at G20

November 22, 2023 | Japan, Gender Equality, Climate | Share this update

On November 22, 2023, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida participated in the G20 Leaders' Video Conference in India, and discussed crucial global issues including multilateral reforms, climate change, digital governance, and women-led development.

Kishida acknowledged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and welcomed the African Union as a permanent G20 member. He highlighted the complexity of global crises, emphasizing Russia's aggression against Ukraine as a threat to sustainable development.

Addressing multilateral system reforms, Kishida stressed the need to strengthen the UN, including Security Council reform. He proposed enhancing the functions of multilateral development banks to support developing countries facing global challenges. Kishida also called for increased efforts to limit temperature rise, urging all parties to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050 and ambitious emission reduction targets.

In the digital sphere, Kishida emphasized the importance of international governance for AI, introducing Japan's efforts through the Hiroshima AI Process. He expressed Japan's commitment to promoting safe and secure AI globally.

Kishida also underscored the need to close the gender gap and enhance women's participation across all sectors. He outlined Japan's commitment to shedding light on "human dignity" under Brazil's upcoming G20 Presidency, pledging continued contributions to global cooperation in addressing diverse challenges.

Press release - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Japan provides US$9 million for Afghan women's empowerment

October 11, 2023 | Japan, Gender Equality | Share this update

On October 11, 2023, Japan signed a JPY1.4 billion (US$9 million) agreement with UNDP to support women’s economic activities in Afghanistan.

Afghan women have a low employment rate, and opportunities for women to enter the workforce remain scarce throughout the country. There is also a severe lack of support for entrepreneurs, including financial institutions to provide small loans to low-income groups and critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, markets, and warehouses, reducing women’s ability to access the market at enjoy social services.

The UNDP Partnership for Strengthening Women’s Economic Activities in the Private Sector aims provide infrastructure, equipment, and improved access to finances to small-, medium-, and micro-businesses managed by women in seven provinces where women’s economic activity has been found to be particularly low. The initiative is expected to strengthen women’s economic involvement and contribute to the improvement of their livelihoods.

Press release - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (in Japanese)

Japan to host TICAD9 in Yokohama

August 8, 2023 | Japan, Education, Agriculture, Gender Equality, Climate, Global Health | Share this update

On August 8, 2023, the Japanese government announced that the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development will be held in Yokohama, Japan, in 2025.

Japan has led TICAD since 1993. It is co-hosted by the UN, UNDP, World Bank, and AUC. The main priority of TICAD is to promote development and cooperation between Japan and Africa. TICAD9 is planned to continue the tradition of bringing African leaders and Japanese representatives together to discuss cooperation and development in the African continent.

TICAD8 took place from August 27–28, 2022, in Tunis, Tunisia. The conference saw the participation of 48 African countries, including 20 heads of state and government.

Press release - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Japan, UNFPA strengthen SRHR commitment

July 26, 2023 | Japan, Global Health, Gender Equality | Share this update

On July 7, 2023, UNFPA submitted a request for increased contributions for the population sector in FY2024 to the Japan Parliamentarians Federation for Population.

Japanese health ministers and UNFPA representatives met in Tokyo to discuss population and SRHR issues. They expressed concern that a large portion of health funding had been permanently allocated to infectious disease control following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to funding disparities in areas such as maternal and reproductive health, a key UN SDG In light of this, the 2023 G7 Leaders Declaration included a reaffirmed commitment to SRHR.

The meeting noted that investment in SRHR is essential for Japan’s Global Health Strategy, and Japanese representatives called for greater support for UNFPA and the IPPF.

Japan and UNFPA committed to addressing health and population challenges in order to achieve the SDGs, promote SRHR, realize UHC, and promote human security.

Press release - United Nationals Population Fund (in Japanese)

G7 Ministers highlight polycrisis' impact on gender equality

June 25, 2023 | Japan, Gender Equality | Share this update

On June 25, 2023, the G7 Gender Equality Ministers met in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan to discuss eliminating the economic disparity between men and women.

In the statement, the ministers acknowledged the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in exacerbating disparities between men and women, such as decreased employment opportunities for women. The ministers also referenced the conflict in Ukraine and stressed the importance of international humanitarian law.

The joint statement also highlighted the threat of compounding international crises to gender equality, as well as the importance of achieving the SDGs, with particular reference to those related to women’s economic security. However, the statement did not include measurable targets or commitments for G7 members to meet.

News article - The Japan TimesJoint Statement of the G7 Gender Equality Ministers On Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Women and Girls

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US$ amounts are cited directly from sources; in the absence of an official conversion, they are calculated using the previous week's average of the US Federal Reserve's daily exchange rates.

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