Japan Contributes to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

March 15, 2006

The Government of Japan contributed 13.9 billion yen (approximately 130 million US dollars) to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on March 15 (Wed.). This is part of the additional contribution to the Global Fund announced in June 2005 by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who pledged an additional Japanese contribution amounting to 500 million US dollars in the coming years, at a Symposium commemorating the Fifth Anniversary of the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit. This brings the Japanese total contribution to over 480 million US Dollars.
Currently, three major infectious diseases - AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria - kill six million people in the world every year. The number of people infected with HIV/AIDS shows a steady increase everywhere, including Asia. It is estimated that 40.3 million people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS.
Japan made the contribution today to recognise the important role the Global Fund is playing in the fight against the killer diseases in developing countries and to express Japan's commitment to continue our assistance in this global endeavour.

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