Top > Announcement > Press Releases (Statements) > Ms. Kurara Chibana of “Earth Supporter” Pays a Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Koumura

Ms. Kurara Chibana of “Earth Supporter” Pays a Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Koumura

May 8, 2008

  1. On May 8 (Thu), Ms. Kurara Chibana, Navigator of the TV-Program “Earth Supporter” to introduce Japan’s Official Development Assistance, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Masahiko Koumura, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
     
  2. Ms. Chibana said that when she did filming in Uganda, a series which is on air now, she was moved by the fact that wells that were sunk by Japan’s ODA were cherished as an essential part of the villages she visited, and that she realized the importance of extending assistance to developing countries.
     
  3. Mr. Koumura said, “I sometimes hear voices saying that there is no need for Japan to extend ODA to developing countries overseas when its own economy is in difficulty.  But I think Japan should help these countries as a state with responsibility and dignity because difficulties in developing countries are fundamentally different from those of Japan.  Extending ODA will not bring rewards immediately, but if we look to the future, Japan’s prosperity needs a stable world.  It is to be regretted that the budget for ODA has been reduced by about 40% in the past decade, but as the Japanese are kind in their hearts, I would like you to publicize the good aspects of ODA among the Japanese through this program.”
     
  4. In response, Ms. Chibana said that she would do her utmost to nudge the Japanese people into thinking about the necessity of assistance, with this program as a starter.
     
  5. Also, Mr. Koumura explained how Japan would tackle the main themes of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.
(END)

Related Information (ODA)