2 Response to Global Issues

(1) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030 Agenda)” is a set of international development goals to be achieved by 2030, which was adopted at the UN Summit in September 2015 as a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) formulated in 2001. The 2030 Agenda sets out international development goals for realizing a society that is sustainable, diverse and inclusive, and where “no one is left behind,” by 2030.

The 2030 Agenda lists the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” consisting of 17 goals and 169 targets that are interrelated and closely linked to each other, and which serve as development goals for the whole of the international community including developed countries.

After the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, Japan first built a foundation for the implementation of the SDGs by establishing the SDGs Promotion Headquarters headed by the Prime Minister and composed of all cabinet ministers as members, and formulating the SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles that set out Japan's medium- to long-term strategy toward the achievement of the SDGs and eight priority areas that Japan will place particular focus on. Furthermore, Japan puts great importance on public-private partnership for the implementation of the SDGs, and established the SDGs Promotion Round Table Meeting, bringing together stakeholders from a wide range of fields including the private sector, civil society, experts, and international organizations. It also engages in the exchange of views on initiatives by local governments and businesses toward the promotion of the SDGs, measures for the empowerment of women and the next generation, and strengthening cooperation with the international community among others.

At the ninth meeting of the SDGs Promotion Headquarters held in December 2020, key initiatives of relevant ministries and agencies toward the achievement of the SDGs were decided as the “SDGs Action Plan 2021.” This Action Plan sets out four pillars to generate behavioral change in society as a whole in order to realize an era of with- and post-COVID19 with a virtuous cycle of economy and environment, which is agile and resilient, where the SDGs have been achieved: (i) countering infectious disease and preparing for next crisises; (ii) business for building back better and growth strategies through innovation; (iii) SDGs-driven regional revitalization, and creating of a virtuous cycle of economy and environment; and (iv) accelerating actions through empowerment and strengthening bonds among people. In line with these, Japan will further promote efforts toward the achievement of the SDGs in both the aspects of domestic implementation and international cooperation.

On the same day as the ninth meeting of the SDGs Promotion Headquarters, a conferment ceremony for the fourth Japan SDGs Award was held to commend companies and organizations that have put in place excellent initiatives toward the realization of the SDGs. This year, Minna-denryoku, Inc. (Setagaya Ward, Tokyo Prefecture) received the SDGs Promotion Headquarters Chief's (Prime Minister's) Award for its efforts to promote intercommunity cooperation through renewable energy under the concept of “Face-to-face electricity TM.”

In terms of international activities, at the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in July, Foreign Minister Motegi emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing the spread of COVID-19. He commented on Japan's efforts in providing support in response to COVID-19 in many developing countries via bilateral arrangements or international organizations based on the philosophy of the SDGs, “leaving no one behind”, as well as the concept of human security, which focuses on each individual in a vulnerable situation. Additionally, he highlighted Japan's proactive efforts aimed at achieving universal health coverage (UHC) through enhancing the healthcare system. With year 2020 being the start of the Decade of Action to achieve the SDGs, he stressed that Japan will cooperate with the international community and continue to accelerate efforts aimed at realizing the SDGs building upon their philosophy. As we advance, Japan will continue to make the best use of various opportunities to promote its stance as a strong supporter of the SDGs to the world.

On the other hand, to achieve the SDGs by 2030, it has been estimated that there is an annual funding shortfall of approximately 2.5 trillion US dollars (approximately 280 trillion Japanese yen)⁵ . In July, the advisory panel to consider new funding mechanisms for SDGs that was set up to discuss topics of this financing gap submitted the summary of its final discussion to Foreign Minister Motegi. With reference to this summary, Japan will continue to consider response measures to issues related to financing.

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• 5 Source: The World Investment Report 2014, UNCTAD

A Human Security

Human security is a concept that pursues the right of individuals to live happily and in dignity, free from fear and want, through their protection and empowerment. Japan positions human security as a guiding principle that lies at the roots of Japan's development cooperation in the Development Cooperation Charter approved in 2015. Japan has led discussions on human security in the UN, and supported the dissemination and implementation of the concept of human security by UN organizations through the contribution of a cumulative total of about 47.8 billion Japanese yen by the end of 2019 to the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, established in 1999 by Japan's initiative. Furthermore, in the area of bilateral cooperation, Japan has also put effort into the dissemination and implementation of this concept through support for Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. The SDGs, which advocate a people-centered approach and the vision of leaving no one behind, also position human security at its core.

The spread of COVID-19 is a human security crisis, posing a threat to the lives, livelihoods and dignity of people around the world. Actions based on the human security concept are crucial in order to overcome this crisis. At the General Debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly held in September, Prime Minister Suga addressed that Japan will accelerate efforts to achieve the SDGs and to tackle global issues, by looking to the human security concept of the new era in responding to various challenges, and proposed to tap into the wisdom from around the world to deepen discussions.

B Approaches in the Area of Disaster Risk Reduction

200 million people around the world are affected by disasters every year (90% of the victims are citizens of developing countries) and the annual average loss incurred by natural hazards extends to approximately 140 billion US dollars according to estimates by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Disaster risk reduction is essential for realizing poverty eradication and sustainable development.

Japan makes the most of its expertise in disaster risk reduction, built up through numerous experiences with disasters, to actively promote international cooperation. At the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai in March 2015, Japan took the lead in the adoption of the “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030,” a guideline for efforts by the international community. Japan also announced the “Sendai Cooperation Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction” as its independent contribution, which includes provision of 4 billion US dollars toward cooperation and training of 40,000 people in the four years from 2015 to 2018. With the achievement of these goals, the Sendai Cooperation Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction Phase 2 was announced in June 2019, under which Japan plans to provide support to at least 5 million people from 2019 to 2022, in areas such as flood measures.

Coinciding with World Tsunami Awareness Day (November 5), proposed by Japan and enacted unanimously at the 70th UN General Assembly held in December 2015, Japan has hosted the High School Students Summit on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” for four times since 2016. High school students from countries around the world are invited to this event, and through practical learning about Japan's history of tsunami, recovery from earthquake disasters, and preparations for a possible Nankai Trough earthquake, the participants make proposals for future challenges and implementation in their home countries. In 2020, in light of the spread of COVID-19, Japan, in cooperation with the UNDRR and other organizations, supported the virtual holding of the Third World Tsunami Museum Conference, as well as the tsunami related training program for female administrative officers and formulating tsunami evacuation plans for schools in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan will continue to share the experiences and lessons drawn from past disasters with the world, and to promote the “mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction” that incorporates the perspectives of disaster risk reduction in the policies of every country.

C Approaches in the Area of Education

In the area of education, Japan is engaged in various forms of educational support around the world under the “Learning Strategy for Peace and Growth,” announced by Japan in line with the timing for the adoption of the 2030 Agenda. At the World Assembly for Women (WAW!) held in March 2019, Japan announced that it will continue its efforts to provide opportunities for quality education and training to at least 4 million women in developing countries by 2020. Furthermore, at the meeting of the SDGs Promotion Headquarters held in June of the same year, Japan announced its commitment to the “Education x Innovation” initiative, which aims to provide education for innovation, and education through innovation to at least 9 million children and youths. At the G20 Osaka Summit chaired by Japan, an agreement was reached on the “G20 Initiative on Human Capital Investment for Sustainable Development,” which places the focus on education, and the commitment to invest in human capital and promote access to inclusive, equitable and quality education for all people was affirmed in the Initiative.

Since the beginning of 2020, schools were shut down due to the spread of COVID-19, resulting in rapid increase of children in various parts of the world whose education opportunities were taken away. In light of this situation, Japan has been providing support to enable continued learning for children through coordination with international organizations, etc., including distance learning and support for reopening schools.

D Approaches in Agricultural Areas

In coordination with the relevant countries, such as G7 or G20 member states and international organizations, Japan has delivered assistance for agriculture and rural development in developing countries. The G20 Niigata Agriculture Ministers' Meeting was held in May 2019, during which the participants affirmed the importance of sharing knowledge among countries on various issues related to agriculture and food, such as new technology and the creation of human resources, food value chains, and the SDGs. The “G20 Niigata Agriculture Ministers' Declaration 2019” was also adopted.

Since 2020, through the support via international organizations and others, Japan has been addressing issues of deterioration of the food system due to the stagnation of distribution of agricultural products as a result of travel restrictions due to the spread of COVID-19.

E Approaches in the Area of Water and Sanitation

Japan has continuously been the largest donor country in the area of water and sanitation since the 1990s and has implemented high quality assistance utilizing Japan's experiences, expertise, and technologies. Japan proactively participates in discussions in the international community, and tackles global issues in the area building upon its contributions to date. Particularly, since the outbreak of COVID-19 at the beginning of 2020, Japan has been providing support through coordination with international organizations and agencies on the promotion of hand washing among other measures from the standpoint of infection control. The 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit, which had been originally scheduled to be held in Kumamoto in October 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It has been determined that the Summit will be held in April 2022 on the theme of “Water for Sustainable Development -Best Practices and the Next Generation-.”

(2) Global Health

Overcoming health challenges that threaten lives and hinder all kinds of social, cultural and economic activities is a common global challenge directly linked to human security. Japan advocates human security which is the basis of the Development Cooperation Charter, while promoting various activities in support of that principle. Japan puts emphasis on cooperation to tackle those issues. As Japan commemorates the 60th anniversary of the National Health Insurance system in 2021, it has become a society of the most healthy and active ageing and is further expected to play a proactive role in the area of health. Considering that investing in the healthcare sector leads to the enhanced energy level of every person, which contributes to the country's economic development and stabilized society, Japan has taken the lead in efforts of the international community to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC)⁶ on the basis of the “Basic Design for Peace and Health,” a theme-based policy for the Development Cooperation Charter formulated in 2015.

To date, Japan has proactively advocated for the importance of achieving UHC and sustainable health financing at international meetings and conventions, including G7 and G20 summits, and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). In 2019, Japan has taken the lead in international discussions on global health, including holding of the UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on UHC, and playing a leading role towards the agreement of political declaration. Additionally, Japan has achieved remarkable results in overcoming health issues such as infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and nutrition improvements through cooperation with a number of countries and various international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT).

At Prime Minister Suga's first UN General Assembly since his inauguration in September 2020, he addressed the General Debate by starting out with Japan's global health policy which included response to COVID-19. During his speech, he pointed out the importance to achieve UHC in aiming to leave no one's health behind in implementing measures in response to the spread of COVID-19, which presents threats to human security. He announced that Japan will take an active leading role in international efforts with a focus on 1) full support to ensure fair and equitable access to therapeutic drugs, vaccines and diagnosis in both developed and developing countries; 2) support health system strengthening of each country through hospital construction, equipment preparation, human resource development, etc.; and 3) implementation of measures for ensuring health security, including environmental improvement, such as water, sanitation and nutrition. Moreover, in order to further promote UHC in the international community, Foreign Minister Motegi has hosted the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Universal Health Coverage in October, and Prime Minister Suga has attended the Special Session of the UN General Assembly in Response to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic in December and stated the importance of achieving UHC.

Japan positions nutrition, one of the cross-sectoral initiatives, as an issue that is related to human security and indispensable for the achievement of the SDGs, and is making efforts to enhance measures directed at improving nutrition ahead of the hosting of the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit 2021, which was postponed due to the spread of COVID-19.

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• 6 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) refers to everyone getting quality health services at an affordable cost and being protected from financial risks.

(3) Labor and Employment

It is important to raise income levels through employment, in order to raise the living standards of those living in poverty. Against the background of an expanding supply-chain worldwide, it is necessary to put effort into developing the labor environment, and to realize “decent work” (work that is of an acceptable quality for motivated human beings) around the world. The realization of “decent work” has been positioned as a primary objective of the activities of the International Labor Organization (ILO), which marks its centenary year in 2019.

In view of this, Japan is also engaged in sustainable development cooperation in the field of labor. In 2020, Japan offered technical cooperation to developing countries in the Asia Pacific region, including Southeast Asia and South Asia and the African region (Mozambique), including support for the urgent creation of employment in the aftermath of a natural disaster and amidst COVID-19, the development of labor laws, and improvement of enforcement systems for labor, health and safety, by making voluntary contributions to the ILO and providing support to networks of international labor organizations.

In December, the third Japan-ILO Annual Strategic Consultation Meeting was held online, where Japan and the ILO affirmed the following points: enhanced cooperation for a better future of work where no one is left behind, including response to current issues related to COVID-19; Japan's financial and human resources contribution to date and further strengthening of partnership in the cooperative assistance for sustainable development in the labor sector; and further reinforcement of Japanese staff within the ILO.

(4) Environmental Issues and Climate Change

A Global Environmental Issues

Awareness is building worldwide on the importance of addressing global environmental issues, as exemplified by the 2030 Agenda, which embeds environmental goals. Japan is actively involved in conserving the natural environment and realizing sustainable development through negotiations and engagements in various multilateral environmental conventions and relevant international organizations. As the largest donor to the World Bank Group's Global Environment Facility, a financing mechanism for the major environmental conventions, Japan also contributes to projects that address global environmental issues such as biodiversity and chemical pollution, etc.

(A) Conservation of the Marine Environment

Addressing the problem of marine plastic litter is growing in importance in recent years, given its potential adverse impact on marine ecology, tourism, fisheries, and human health. The problem is caused by factors such as the illegal dumping of waste and incomplete waste disposal. In order to achieve “the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision” that was launched at the G20 Osaka Summit in 2019, which aims to reduce additional pollution by marine plastic litter to zero by 2050, Japan is working with international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in areas such as compiling scientific knowledge and providing assistance on building models necessary for measures against marine plastic litter contamination, in providing environmentally appropriate plastic waste management and disposal support in the Asian region.

On December 2, the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which is comprised of leaders of maritime nations and established to discuss matters such as conservation of marine environments, fisheries and utilization of marine resources, released a joint document titled “Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy” by joint names of 14 heads of states and government, including Prime Minister Suga. This document, states that member countries commit to “sustainably manage 100% of the ocean area under national jurisdiction, guided by Sustainable Ocean Plans, by 2025,” as well as “we urge all coastal and ocean states to join us in this commitment so that by 2030, all ocean areas under national jurisdiction are sustainably managed.” In order to promote the leaders' joint document, MOFA and the Ocean Policy Research Institute jointly held a webinar (an online seminar) on December 3. Prime Minister Suga sent a message for this webinar and emphasized the importance of utilizing the maritime power, such as offshore wind power generation, as a countermeasure to climate change. He also highlighted Japan's projects for addressing the marine plastic litter problem.

(B) Conservation of Biodiversity

The second meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG2) under the Convention on Biological Diversity, was held in February in Rome, Italy where discussions took place on elements of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which were to replace the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Furthermore, in an effort to emphasize the urgency to take actions related to biodiversity at the highest level, and to promote decision making and implementation of the framework, the UN Summit on Biodiversity was held in September in New York as a hybrid meeting which also enabled online participation.

In recent years, the illegal wildlife trade has exacerbated, drawing international attention as one of the key sources of funding for international terrorist organizations. As a follow-up to its provision of elephant anti-poaching operation facilities in Uganda and Mozambique in 2019, Japan decided to provide the same monitoring facility in Zambia in 2020, underscoring Japan's drive to address this issue seriously.

Japan also contributed to international discussions on promoting conservation and sustainable uses of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, with a view to enhancing sustainable agriculture and food security. At the 1st and 2nd meetings of the Standing Committee on the Funding Strategy and Resource Mobilization of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture held in July and November, Japan, as a regional representative, provided advice on funding strategy and resource mobilization dealing with support and monitoring to monetary and non-monetary benefit sharing and access to genetic resources under the Treaty.

At the 56th Session of the Council of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) held online in November a new framework to enable efficient implementation of projects to promote sustainable forest management and trading of legally harvested timber were discussed.

(C) International Management of Chemicals and Hazardous Waste

The 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the 32nd Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer were held online in November. At the meetings, matters such as the operation of the amended protocol with the addition of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) as a controlled substance were discussed.

Under the Basel Convention, which regulates the movement of hazardous waste across national borders, Japan is leading the compilation of referencing guideline for parties to the Treaty on the regulation of mercury waste, burning of hazardous waste on land, energy recovery and waste plastic.

Under the Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force in 2017, Japan is actively contributing to discussions as an expert in the expert meeting on reviewing Annex A Mercury-added Products and Annex B Manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used, as well as in the expert meeting on mercury emissions and releases and their thresholds, as a preparation for the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties for the Convention.

As for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, parties to the Convention are to formulate and update its national implementation plan in order to fulfill their obligation of the Convention. In December, Japan reflected its measures on chemical substances, which have newly become subject to the regulation in the eighth and ninth meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, into its national implementation plan and submitted it to the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention.

B Climate Change

(A) Initiatives to Achieve Net Zero GHG Emissions by 2050

In October, Prime Minister Suga declared that Japan will aim to realize carbon neutral with net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. He also expressed that Japan would lead the world's green industry and create a positive cycle of economy and environment. The international community, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, has expressed their welcome to this declaration of Japan (see the Special Feature on page 301).

(B) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Paris Agreement

Global efforts are essential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change; however, the Kyoto Protocol adopted at the third session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3) in 1997 required only developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 held in Paris in December 2015. The Paris Agreement is a fair and effective framework that provides that parties communicate their nationally determined contributions to greenhouse gas emission reductions and undertake efforts toward the achievement of such goals regardless of whether they are developed or developing countries. The Agreement entered into force in November 2016, and has been ratified by more than 180 countries including Japan (as of December 2020). While the U.S. announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement as of November 2020, in January 2021, it declared its re-adoption of the Paris Agreement, and officially adopted it again in February.

Upon the adoption of the Paris Agreement, negotiations commenced on the implementation guidelines of the Agreement toward its full implementation after 2020, and these were adopted at COP24 held in Katowice, Poland in December 2018. While the adoption of implementation guidelines of the market mechanisms was anticipated at COP26, which was scheduled to be held in November 2020, as the parties could not reach a complete agreement in negotiations at COP24 and COP25, due to the impact of the spread of COVID-19, the conference was postponed until November 2021.

Under these circumstances, there was a growing international momentum that sees measures against climate change as important even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and various UN meetings were held online, including the June Momentum for Climate Change (June) and Climate Change Dialogues (November). In addition, in commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the Climate Ambition Summit 2020 was held online on December 12 under the joint host of the UK, France and the UN, aiming to call on the international community to take further actions on climate change. Prime Minister Suga attended the event and articulated Japan's efforts and international contribution.

Japan has also contributed to maintaining the international momentum on climate change through co-hosting events such as the Online Platform in September with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a ministerial meeting on recovery from COVID-19, climate change and environmental measures.

(C) Efforts in Supporting Developing Countries

Developed countries including Japan have provided various supports for developing countries so that those countries can implement sufficient climate change measures. Those supports include financial support, capacity building, and technology transfer. From such perspectives, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) also plays an important role as a multilateral fund that provides support for developing countries to address climate change. In addition to its initial contribution of 1.5 billion US dollars (2015 to 2018), as Japan expressed at the High-Level Pledging Conference for the GCF's First Replenishment held in October 2019 that it would contribute up to 1.5 billion US dollars, the first payment was made in 2020. Moreover, Japan has actively participated in its management as well as policy-making as a member of the GCF Board. By December 2020, the GCF Board has approved 159 projects, which are projected to avoid CO2 emissions by 1.2 billion tons and increase resilience of 410 million people.

(D) Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

The JCM is a mechanism for contributing to measures to address climate change on a global scale through diffusion of advanced low carbon technologies, as well as the implementation of mitigation actions in developing countries and evaluating contributions from Japan to GHG emission reductions or removals in a quantitative manner, which are used to achieve Japan's emission reduction target. As of November 2020, Japan has established the JCM with 17 partner countries, and implemented more than 180 projects related to the reduction or removal of greenhouse gases. In 2020, the initiative has steadily produced results, such as through the issuance of credits from projects in Indonesia, Cambodia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

(E) Japan's efforts in Climate Change and Fragility Risk

In response to suggestions at the Roundtable Seminar on “Climate Change and Fragility Implications on International Security” held by MOFA in January 2017 and other fora, that Japan will focus on the Asia Pacific and conduct studies and engage in discussions on climate change and fragility, Japan convened the International Conference on Climate Change and Fragility in the Asia-Pacific Region once again in January 2021 following from the conferences in 2018 and 2019, as one of its initiatives on climate change and fragility risk. The 2021 conference was organized under the title of Youth Competition on Climate Change Policy on the theme of Policies for your town to realize a decarbonized society involving senior high school and university students. Participants competed in the event through presentations and sharing their paper on specific policy for realizing a decarbonized society.

(F) Climate Change Measures by Non-State Actors

Measures by non-state actors such as private corporations, local governments, and NGOs are also important in tackling climate change. In Japan as well, non-state actors have made further progress in their efforts, as demonstrated by keen activities of the network of non-state actors, including Zero Carbon Cities in Japan, comprising local municipalities that have declared the goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Japan Climate Initiative (JCI), which aims to take proactive action in the area of climate change, the Japan Climate Leaders' Partnership (JCLP), a corporate group with the same goal, and “RE Action – Declaring 100% Renewable,” a corporate group whose members have established the goal of procuring 100% renewable energy for the electricity required in the operation of their businesses, as well as the increase in the number of Japanese corporations participating in the international initiative “RE100” and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)⁷. Japan intends to promote diplomacy in the area of climate change while collaborating with such non-state actor driven initiatives.

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• 7 The TCFD was established by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) as a task force on the disclosure of financial information related to climate change, led by the private sector. In its final report, it presented a framework on voluntary information disclosure by corporations pertaining to climate-related risks and opportunities.

(5) Arctic and Antarctic

A Arctic

(A) Current State of the Arctic

There is a risk that rapid changes in the Arctic environment caused by global warming will have a drastic and irreversible impact on the ecology and the lives of those living there, including Indigenous peoples. At the same time, as the decreasing amount of sea ice is expected to expand the navigable area, there have been growing economic opportunities such as the use of the Northern Sea Route and the development of resources. Alongside this, Russia, as the largest arctic country, has announced the Basic Principles of Russian Federation State Policy in the Arctic to 2035 in March and the Strategy for Developing the Russian Arctic Zone and Ensuring National Security until 2035 in October 2020. It is also promoting military facility maintenance, resource exploitation and freight shipping on the Northern Sea Route. Meanwhile, China has also published a white paper on its Arctic policy in 2018 and is observed to be proactively advancing into the Arctic with its participation in resource development, commercial use of shipping routes and governance development, as it has positioned itself as an important stakeholder in Arctic affairs. In 2020, China started in-depth scientific research activities in the Arctic, including the launch of the Arctic missions of polar-observing satellite BNU-1, and the Arctic expeditions of Xuelong 2, the first Chinese-made ice breaking research vessel. Against this backdrop, the U.S. is also enhancing its engagement in light of changes in the situation of the Arctic, including announcing an over 12 million US dollars economic aid policy for Greenland (Denmark) in April, and reopening the U.S. consulate in Nuuk in June after about 70 years.

(B) Japan's Arctic Policy and International Activities

As for Japan, it is proactively promoting activities in the Arctic with an emphasis on the three areas of research and development, international cooperation and sustainable use, with the Headquarters for Ocean Policy approving “Japan's Arctic Policy” in October 2015 as its basic policy on the Arctic. In addition, the Third Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, adopted by the Cabinet in May 2018, added a separate section on Arctic policy for the first time and positioned it as one of the main policy items in Japan's ocean policy.

In terms of international efforts, since 2013, Japan has appointed an ambassador in charge of Arctic Affairs. The ambassador attends international conferences on the Arctic including the Senior Arctic Official's (SAO) meeting of the Arctic Council (AC)⁸, in which Japan participates as an observer, and presents Japan's efforts and views on issues surrounding the Arctic. For example, the Ambassador in charge of Arctic Affairs delivered a speech, at the seventh Arctic Circle Assembly⁹ in October 2019 as well as at the ACSAO meeting in November 2020 (both held in Iceland), which focused on Japan's efforts in the Arctic, including Japan co-hosting the third Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3) with Iceland, the current Chair of the AC, for the first time in Asia. However, the ASM3 initially scheduled to be held in Tokyo in November 2020 was postponed until May 2021 in light of the spread of COVID-19.

In addition, Japan promotes international cooperation on the Arctic with the relevant countries including the Arctic countries. Through the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability (ArCS) project launched in FY2015 and its successor, the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCSII) from FY2020, Japan promotes international cooperation for research and human resource development at research and observation stations in the U.S., Canada, Russia, Norway, and Greenland (Denmark) among other locations. Japan has also sent its researchers to the AC working groups specialized in specific themes, where they present outcomes of their research on the Arctic and contribute to discussions. During a thematic session on Regional Coordination of Marine Issues and Global Commitments at SAO Marine Mechanism, a webinar series held online from September to October 2020, hosted by Iceland, the chair of AC, an ArCSII expert reported on Japan's Arctic policy and international cooperation and cooperation with the local communities for on-site surveys.

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• 8 A high-level intergovernmental consultation body established in 1996 with the aim of promoting cooperation, coordination, and exchanges between the eight Arctic countries (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the U.S.), while gaining the involvement of indigenous communities on common issues related to the Arctic region (in particular, sustainable development, environmental protection, etc.). (It is clearly affirmed that it does not address military and security issues.) Japan acquired an observer status in 2013.
• 9 An international conference established by Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former President of Iceland and others in 2013 and attended by about 2,000 participants including government representatives, researchers, and business people. Japan has been participating in it since the first assembly with the attendance of the Ambassador in charge of Arctic Affairs and other delegates. They deliver speeches at the plenary session, while Japanese researchers present the outcomes of their scientific research at breakout sessions.

B Antarctic

(A) Japan and the Antarctic

Japan has been conducting Antarctic observation surveys utilizing its advanced technology at Syowa Station established in 1957, thereby contributing to global environment conservation and international development of science and technology. Moreover, as one of the original signatories of the Antarctic Treaty, Japan strives to maintain and strengthen the Antarctic Treaty System, which is essential to the peaceful use of the Antarctic, while contributing to the promotion of environmental preservation and international cooperation in the Antarctic.

(B) The Antarctic Treaty

The Antarctic Treaty adopted in 1959 sets forth the following basic principles: (1) the use of the Antarctica for peaceful purposes, (2) freedom of scientific investigations and international cooperation, and (3) a freeze on territorial rights and claims. Among the signatories of the Treaty, 29 countries that carry out substantial activities in the Antarctic have consultations concerning issues in the Antarctic to take actions to promote the goals of the treaty as “Consultative Parties.”

(C) The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the Protection of Antarctic Environment

At the 42nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 42) held in Prague, Czech Republic, in July 2019, discussions were held on recent issues, including the microplastics pollution in the Antarctic Ocean, and the impact of the increase in the number of tourists on the Antarctic environment, taking into account the yearly increase in the number of travelers to the Antarctic region for tourism and other purposes. The 43rd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 43) that was scheduled to be held in May 2020 was cancelled due to the global spread of COVID-19, and is now scheduled to be held in Paris in June 2021.

(D) Japan's Antarctic Observation

As for Japan's Antarctic observation activities, based on the ninth six-year plan of the Japanese Antarctic Research program (2016 to 2021), Japan is undertaking efforts to elucidate the role and impact of the Antarctic region on the global system, and in particular, to elucidate the actual conditions of global warming and its mechanisms. To that end, in addition to long-term continuous observation, it is also implementing various research and observation activities, including observations using a large aperture atmospheric radar, which is the only one of its kind in the Antarctic.