Press Conference, 22 January 2009

The Inauguration of President Obama as President of the United States of America
The Re-election of Judge Fumiko Saiga of the International Criminal Court
Visit by Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Government of Japan, to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Visits to Japan by President Georgi Parvanov of Bulgaria and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger of Austria on the Occasion of the Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009
Visit to Japan by Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis of the Republic of Latvia
The ODA General Account Budget Proposal and the ODA Project Budget for FY 2009

I. The Inauguration of President Obama as President of the United States of America

Deputy Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura: Good afternoon. Welcome to the press conference.

I have six announcements.

First, on the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America. The Government of Japan would like to extend its heartfelt congratulations to President Obama on his inauguration.

Japan and the United States, as allies, share universal values and strategic interests. We look forward to working with the new administration to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and make efforts towards the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

II. The Re-election of Judge Fumiko Saiga of the International Criminal Court

Mr. Kawamura: Second, concerning the re-election of Japan's candidate as a judge of the International Criminal Court or ICC. Japan welcomes the re-election of Fumiko Saiga as an ICC judge. She is the first Japanese ICC judge. We will continue to support Judge Saiga to make an even greater contribution to the ICC as the leading figure in the fields of human rights and humanitarian affairs.

Related Information (Press Release)

III. Visit by Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Government of Japan, to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Mr. Kawamura: Third, in response to the recent rise in ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, the Government of Japan has dispatched Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Government of Japan for Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, to the country.

In Sri Lanka, Mr. Akashi will meet with President Rajapaksa and representatives of the ruling and opposition political parties and encourage their work on the process towards a political solution to the ethnic conflict. This will be his 16th visit to the country.

Related Information (Press Release)

IV. Visits to Japan by President Georgi Parvanov of Bulgaria and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger of Austria on the Occasion of the Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009

Mr. Kawamura: Fourth, in conjunction with the Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009, leaders of the Danube countries will visit Japan this weekend. Japan welcomes Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.

The year 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bulgaria, and the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Austria.

V. Visit to Japan by Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis of the Republic of Latvia

Mr. Kawamura: Aside from the Danube countries, Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis is now visiting Japan. Japan will soon dispatch an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Latvia.

Related Information (Press Release)

VI. The ODA General Account Budget Proposal and the ODA Project Budget for FY 2009

Mr. Kawamura: And lastly, today, the 22nd, the Government of Japan has announced the aggregated ODA General Account Budget Proposal for FY 2009. It is 672.2 billion yen, which is a 4 percent decline from the current FY 2008.

However, the so-called "ODA Project Budget," which adds Yen Loans and contributions to international development finance organizations among others, to the General Account Budget, is 1.7047 trillion yen, a 12.8% increase from FY 2008.

Another noteworthy element is MOFA's ODA Budget for grant aid and technical cooperation, which shows an increase for the first time in nine years. Grant aid is 155.8 billion yen, up 1.3 percent, and Financial Inputs under JICA's management are 160.8 billion yen, also up 1.3% percent.

The Government of Japan will, with Diet approval of the draft budget, further strengthen its efforts on global issues such as poverty, health, education, and water and sanitation, in order to advance progress toward the achievement of the MDGs.

Related Information (ODA Budget)

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