The international community's response to various challenges is becoming increasingly critical with regard to not only terrorism and conflicts, which threaten political and security frameworks, but also global issues such as violations of human rights, poverty, infectious diseases, and intensifying environmental degradation resulting from rapid globalization. Within this context, the roles played by international organizations become increasingly significant and the duties of international civil servants working at international institutions also grow in importance.

   In order to increase the number of Japanese personnel in the UN and other international organizations, Japan has been making efforts to identify superior candidates while urging international organizations to hire and promote Japanese staff. In concrete terms, Japan has been working to increase the number of Japanese staff by making use of the AE (Associate Expert)/JPO (Junior Professional Officer) Programme (*20) for young professionals and receiving recruitment missions from international organizations, etc. As a result of these efforts, there are now 671 Japanese staff members serving at international organizations (2006 figure), with this number increasing steadily over the years (cf. graph entitled, “Number of Japanese Staff in UN-related International Organizations (Professional staff and Above)”). These include heads of international organizations chosen through elections as well as people who are making their career as international civil servants, ranging from young professionals to senior officials. These personnel are active across the entire spectrum of fields and work all around the globe, including areas in conflict such as Afghanistan and the vicinity of Iraq. (*21) Japan will continue its efforts to identify candidates while calling on international organizations to hire and promote Japanese staff.

   More than 400 Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are estimated to be involved in international cooperation activities. In light of the various issues facing international society, such as natural disasters and regional conflicts, NGOs that are capable of providing well-tailored, swift, and flexible responses well in tune with local societies and residents are coming to be of greater and greater importance. Japanese NGOs have been conducting activities in the fields of not only development assistance and emergency humanitarian relief but also the environment, human rights, trade, disarmament and non-proliferation, and international organized crime.

   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs values the role of NGOs highly. Regarding them as a major player in Japan's diplomacy that provides “assistance with a Japanese face,” the Ministry is working to strengthen its coordination with NGOs.

   The Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) and Senior Overseas Volunteers (SVs) look at issues and implement solutions hand-in-hand with local people overseas. As one type of “assistance with a Japanese face,” these volunteers contribute to growth in developing countries while also playing a significant role in fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and developing countries. In addition, the JOCVs and SVs give feedback to Japanese society in various ways upon their return home, such as sharing their experiences in schools or with their communities. Their unique activities have been highly appreciated both in Japan and in the countries to which they have been dispatched.