1. PM Kan Calls for “Opening Japan and Reinventing KIZUNA” in Davos

2. The Adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK

3. The Second Meeting of the Japan-Arab Economic Forum

4. The Third Bali Democracy Forum

5. Climate Change

6. Japan's Assistance Package to Afganistan

7. Launch of the “Visa for Medical Stay”

6. Japan’s Assistance Package to Afghanistan

Japan Has Implemented Approximately USD 1.6 billion of Assistance

Japan has been carrying out assistance for Afghanistan since 2001 in the fields of governance support, security, infrastructure development, basic human needs, agricultural and rural development and culture. Furthermore, in November 2009, Japan announced assistance up to an amount in the region of USD 5 billion for about a five-year period from that same year, based on the future situation of Afghanistan, focusing on the three main areas of 1) security, 2) reintegration, and 3) development. As of the end of 2010, approximately USD 1.04 billion of assistance has been implemented (for a total of USD 2.5 billion since 2001). It was decided in November 2010 to offer a further USD 540 million of assistance, which has been provided to various projects via international organizations. The implementation status of Japanese assistance in each of the three fields between 2009 and 2010 is as follows.

1. Assistance for enhancing Afghanistan’s capability to maintain security (approx. USD 350 million)

In order for Afghans to rebuild their nation by their own hands, it is important that security be ensured in the country. To that end, aiming to extend the utmost support for improving the self-governance capabilities of Afghanistan, assistance has been given via the United Nations Development Programme/Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (UNDP/LOFTA) to pay the salaries of Afghan policemen (half the total cost of police salaries; 2009: USD 180 million; 2010: USD 240 million), for training to strengthen police forces, etc., opening a path to allow the country to fulfill its obligation to secure security by themselves. In addition, medical supplies and other materials have been provided to the Afghan National Army.

2. Assistance for the reintegration of former insurgents to the society (approx. USD 150 million)

In addition to militaristic initiatives, political initiatives are also important for peace and stability in Afghanistan. In this regard, for the purpose of reintegrating anti-government forces into the society and moving toward a lasting reconciliation, it is vital to begin working on the reintegration of former rank and file armed combatants. Also, effective measures must be formulated to prevent former combatants from returning to the anti-government movement and allow them to sustain their own lives and resettle permanently into the society. While it is important that the formulation of such measures be led by the Afghan Government, Japan, by making use of its experience and knowledge in Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration (DDR) and the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG), has involved itself from the planning stage in the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program (APRP); and is making financial assistance to contribute to the three stages of the measures, i.e. a) outreach, b) disarmament, and c) peace consolidation. Japan is also implementing small-scale development programs and others to provide job training and create employment opportunities for former combatants.

3. Assistance for Afghanistan’s sustainable and self-reliant development (approx. USD 530 million)

It is important to advance nation-building efforts attractive to the people of Afghanistan. Based on this perspective, for Afghanistan’s sustainable and self-reliant development, Japan has provided assistance to meet the needs of the country regarding areas such as agricultural and rural development, infrastructure development (including energy), education, health, and other basic human needs. Japan also believes that it is important to stabilize Afghanistan by promoting the development of the Central Asian region bordering Afghanistan as one theatre.