Press Conference 5 March 2004

1. Contribution for the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq
2. Funding for the Japan Platform (JPF)
3. Assistance for measures against avian influenza

1. Contribution for the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq

   Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon. Today, I have three announcements I would like to make.

   The first announcement is about Japan's contribution for the reconstruction of Iraq.

   The Government of Japan today decided to contribute a total of US$450 million to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq as emergency grant aid. Of that amount, US$360 million will be allocated for the fund administered by the United Nations and the remaining US$90 million will be disbursed for the fund administered by the World Bank.

   Japan regards this contribution as an appropriate amount in view of facilitating international cooperation, and the contribution is expected to advance the reconstruction of Iraq at the earliest date possible and promote prompt support for Iraq from the international community.

   Related Information (Contribution for the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq)
   
2. Funding for the Japan Platform (JPF)

   Mr. Takashima: The second announcement is about funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

   The Government of Japan today decided to contribute 1.7 billion yen (US$15.3 million) for humanitarian assistance activities in Iraq in such fields as medicine, health and education to be conducted by the non-governmental organization units comprising the Japan Platform (JPF). The Government of Japan also decided to contribute 300 million yen (US$2.7 million) to the Japan Platform NGO units for other emergency humanitarian assistance activities in areas of conflict and disaster.

   The funding is expected to reinforce the foundation of public participation and promote visibility of Japanese NGOs' contribution extended to those afflicted by disasters and conflicts.

   Since 2001, the Government of Japan has already contributed 1.9 billion (US$17 million) to the NGO units of JPF, which is participated by 16 Japanese NGOs. Those funds have so far been utilized effectively for emergency humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, the Republic of Zambia, Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

   Related Information (Funding for the Japan Platform (JPF))
   
3. Assistance for measures against avian influenza

   Mr. Takashima: The third announcement is about Japanese assistance for avian influenza countermeasures.

   The Government of Japan has decided to dispatch two experts to the Kingdom of Thailand and to three other Southeast Asian countries to help control the avian flu.

   One of them will be an expert on avian flu diagnosis and will be dispatched from 7 to 13 March to Thailand in response to a request from the Government of Thailand for technical guidance and training for Thai officials in charge of communicable disease control.

   Another expert will be dispatched to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Union of Myanmar to investigate the present situation and give advice on epidemic control with a view to studying mid-term countermeasures against avian flu in Southeast Asia.

   Related Information (Assistance for Measures against Avian Influenza)