Policy Updates

On July 11, 2025, JICA and the UNDP hosted a two-day demonstration in Ukraine to showcase advanced technologies supporting humanitarian mine action, which was held in collaboration with the SESU and featured:

• ALIS, a Japanese-developed ground-penetrating radar system, presented by its inventor Prof. Motoyuki Sato;
• Heavy demining machinery donated by Japan through JICA; and
• AI -powered drone-based scanning developed by Ukrainian company UADamage

Participants included representatives from Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, SESU, national mine action operators, and UNDP staff. The demonstration aimed to enhance local capacity and inform the operational deployment of new technologies.

UNDP Ukraine emphasized the importance of innovation in accelerating safe, effective demining, while JICA reiterated Japan’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s humanitarian mine action.

On June 13, 2025, Japan signed a grant agreement with Sierra Leone providing US$20 million to expand electricity distribution infrastructure funding new substations, power lines, and transformers across the Western Area, aiming to improve access and reliability in underserved coastal communities.

The support, delivered through Japan’s Grant Aid program, builds on earlier energy collaboration and aligns with Sierra Leone’s goal of universal energy access.

On May 30, 2025, JICA signed the Development Policy Loan which provides JPY60 billion (US$393 million) with Bangladesh to support economic reforms and climate resilience, bolstering Bangladesh's economy amid global challenges like inflation and climate-induced disasters.

The 30-year loan, with a 2% annual interest rate and a 10-year grace period, aims to improve the business environment and governance, and implement climate measures. Co-financing includes US$600 million from the ADB and US$500 million from the World Bank.

Additionally, the Human Resource Development Scholarship Project grants JPY606 million (US$4million) to fund advanced degrees for young Bangladeshi officials in Japan, enhancing administrative capacity and bilateral ties.

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.