*18 The "Global Issues Initiative on Population and AIDS ( GII )"

Japan announced GII as an independent initiative in 1994, which involved the commitment of approximately $3 billion in population and AIDS-related assistance to developing countries during a seven-year period beginning in fiscal 1994. From the perspective of reproductive health, GII contains direct assistance for population and family planning. In addition, GII supports a comprehensive approach to basic health and medical services, primary education for women and children, and the empowerment of women. In Indonesia, for instance, a project has been implemented that uses "mother and child health handbooks," which has resulted in lower maternal and infant mortality rates. As of the end of fiscal 1998, the cumulative amount of GII-related assistance reached approximately $3.7 billion to already exceed the seven-year goal established in 1994.