Chapter 3
Japan's Foreign Policy to Promote National and Global Interests
2 Response to Global Issues
(1) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030 Agenda)” was adopted at the United Nations (UN) Summit in 2015 and sets out the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for realizing a society under the principle of “Leave No One Behind.” Japan is promoting initiatives for achievement of the SDGs, having established the SDGs Promotion Headquarters headed by the Prime Minister, with the Chief Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister as the Deputy Director-Generals and composed of all cabinet ministers as members. Additionally, Japan 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 to exchange views on the promotion of the SDGs. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, through the process of various initiatives and rule-making efforts by diverse stakeholders both at home and abroad, the nature of economic and social activities in the international community as a whole, including Japan, has undergone rapid and significant transformation, from people's awareness and lifestyles to industrial structures and financial flows.
On the other hand, the international community faces serious global issues such as climate change and infectious diseases, as well as complex crises that were not anticipated at the time the SDGs were adopted. As a result, progress towards achieving the SDGs by 2030 is facing significant difficulties.
The SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles, revised by the SDGs Promotion Headquarters in December 2023, stated that amid accelerating population decline and an aging society, efforts toward achieving the SDGs will be strengthened and accelerated in order to build a diverse and inclusive society and realize Japan's sustainable development, prosperity, and enhanced international competitiveness through the resolution of social issues using innovation. In addition, they also present guidelines for further contributing in the most effective manner to the efforts of the international community towards achieving the SDGs, and efforts have been made to strengthen the implementation structure and cooperation among stakeholders. In April 2024, under the leadership of Foreign Minister Kamikawa, the Advisory Panel on Sustainability of the International Community was launched to consider approaches to simultaneously achieve growth and sustainability, with an eye toward the period beyond 2030, the deadline for the SDGs.
A Human Security
Human security is a concept that pursues the creation of a country and society where individuals can live happily and in dignity, free from fear and want. Japan has long advocated human security as a pillar of its diplomacy, and in the Development Cooperation Charter revised in June 2023, Japan positioned human security as a guiding principle that underlies all of its development cooperation. In regard to bilateral cooperation, too, Japan has also put effort into the dissemination and implementation of this concept through support including Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.
Japan has also led discussions at the UN, and had contributed a cumulative total of approximately 51.9 billion Japanese yen by the end of 2024 to the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security, which was established at the UN in 1999 under Japan's leadership, to support the dissemination and implementation of human security by UN agencies. The 2030 Agenda, which advocates the principle of “Leave No One Behind,” also places the concept of human security at its core. Additionally, in response to Japan's efforts, the UN Secretary-General's report on human security was published in January 2024, the first one in 10 years. The report points out that human security has not only been a concept but has also functioned as a useful tool in practice, and that an approach based on human security is becoming increasingly important. It emphasizes that human security is a tool that enhances solidarity between nations, between people, and between humans and the planet, based on the premise that each country takes ownership of the survival, livelihood, and dignity of its own people. Furthermore, an informal plenary meeting of the General Assembly on human security was held in April attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and President of the 78th Session of the General Assembly Dennis Francis. At the Summit of the Future held at the UN in September, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would make bold efforts to “invest in people” under the concept of human security, and Japan will continue to work to promote and put into practice the concept of human security.
B Approaches in the Area of Disaster Risk Reduction
While there are concerns about frequent and intensified disasters due to climate change, disaster risk reduction is essential for realizing poverty eradication and sustainable development. Leveraging the Japanese knowledge of disaster risk reduction accumulated through numerous experiences with disasters, Japan has actively promoted international cooperation in various fields of disaster risk reduction, including, leading the adaptation of the “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030,” at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture in 2015. At the 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Japan stated that it prioritizes strengthening disaster response, promoting investment in disaster risk reduction, and developing early warning systems. It also stressed the need to further promote international cooperation in disaster risk reduction.
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 hosted the High School Students Summit on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” (November 5) on October 23 and 24, 2024, in Kumamoto. At the opening ceremony, Minister of State for Disaster Management SAKAI Manabu delivered a speech, and for the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Ishiba sent a video message. Additionally, at the event for World Tsunami Awareness Day on November 5 at the UN Headquarters, the high school students who chaired the High School Students Summit and others gave a presentation about the summit, and Foreign Minister Iwaya sent a video message. Furthermore, in October, the 5th World Tsunami Museum Conference was held in the Philippines, where three high school students from Sendai took to the stage to give a presentation on their project to create a guidebook compiling museums related to disasters and disaster risk reduction in the Tohoku region.
Japan provides training on Tsunamis for women administrators and other officials in Asia and the Pacific in cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Hiroshima Office and supports the formulation of Tsunami evacuation plans and implementation of Tsunami evacuation drills for countries in the Asia-Pacific region with high risk of Tsunamis in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Japan will continue to share its experiences and lessons learned from disasters with the rest of the world and promote “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction” to introduce the perspective of disaster risk reduction into the policies of each country.
C 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. In September 2022, Prime Minister Kishida declared Japan's intent to promote human resource development with investment in human assets placed at the core and “Education for Sustainable Development” (ESD) at the UN Transforming Education Summit (TES). In addition, the Development Cooperation Charter, which was revised in June 2023, clearly states that Japan will pursue quality education for all, empowerment of women, children and the youth, and ensuring educational opportunities in conflict and disaster situations. Taking this into consideration, in 2024 Japan made a new contribution to the Education Cannot Wait Fund, a global fund for education in crises, to enable Ukrainian children to learn in a safer environment.
D Approaches in Agricultural Areas
In coordination with the relevant countries, such as G7 and G20 member states and international organizations, Japan has delivered assistance for agriculture and rural development in developing countries. Through assistance via international organizations, Japan has been addressing issues of deterioration within the food system due to the stagnation in distribution of agricultural products as a result of worldwide climate change and the situation in Ukraine.
In November, Prime Minister Ishiba attended the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit, where he pointed out the importance of food security and building sustainable and resilient food systems. He also stated Japan will actively contribute to the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, which was established at the summit under the leadership of Brazil, the country's presidency, within the framework of the G20 and to which 80 countries, including all G20 members, have declared their intention to join, with the aim of stimulating joint actions to eradicate hunger and poverty around the world. Prime Minister Ishiba also expressed Japan's intention to utilize its advanced technology to spread sustainable and highly productive agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries to new partners, including countries in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Africa.
E Approaches in the Area of Water and Sanitation
Japan has continuously been one of the largest donor countries in the area of water and sanitation since the 1990s. Furthermore, Japan has implemented high quality assistance utilizing Japan's experiences, expertise, and technologies, as well as proactively participated in discussions in the international community. In December 2016, the UN General Assembly adopted the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development (2018-2028) to promote a shift in water management practices, and water-related initiatives are now considered important in the international community. At the Asia-Pacific Water Summit held in Kumamoto City in April 2022, Prime Minister Kishida announced the Kumamoto Initiative for Water, Japan's contribution initiative, which includes Japan's proactive efforts to resolve social issues related to water through cooperation and collaboration with other countries and international organizations. Furthermore, the Third High-Level International Conference on International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” was held in June 2024, and in her video message, Foreign Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan will promote various initiatives, including the aforementioned Kumamoto Initiative for Water. She also said that Japan will focus on vulnerable groups, such as women and children, youth, elderly, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples, and we will work together to achieve all goals and targets for water, toward the future we want, with no one left behind.
(2) Global Health
Health is a basic condition that is essential to achieving human security that Japan is advocating for, which protects the survival, livelihood, and dignity of each individual. The global COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the fact that global health is not only directly relevant to people's health but is also an important issue for the global society, including that of Japan's. This includes major risks in the economy, society, and security. Given this understanding, and with lessons learned during COVID-19, the Government of Japan formulated its new Global Health Strategy in May 2022. The strategy outlines Japan's goals to contribute to developing a global health architecture (GHA), strengthen Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPR) to public health emergencies such as pandemics, and achieve a more resilient, more equitable, and more sustainable universal health coverage (UHC)(10) that is required in the post-COVID-19 era to ensure human security.
Japan continues to work closely with public-private partnerships and international organizations, such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance),(11) Unitaid, UHC2030,(12) Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), to address various global health issues. Furthermore, under the philosophy of breaking the cycle of “panic” and “forgetfulness” and leading the world to structural change in preparation for the next pandemic, Japan continues to work to raise international awareness and maintain momentum through various international conferences it hosts or participates in.
Specifically, based on the outcomes and follow-up of the G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023, Japan continued to actively contribute to discussions on global health in 2024. The outcome documents of the G7 Apulia Summit in June included Japan's points of emphasis and areas it has emphasized at the G7 Hiroshima Summit and elsewhere, such as the achievement of UHC, equitable access to medical products and medical countermeasures (MCMs),(13) the need to strengthen the GHA, and coordination between finance and health tracks. The outcome documents of the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit in November also reiterate the central coordinating role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the GHA and included terms and sentences such as UHC and equitable access to MCMs.
Regarding equitable access to MCMs, the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) was launched in June 2024 with the aim of establishing a sustainable vaccine manufacturing base in Africa and improving the resilience of vaccine supply. Japan attended the launch meeting and expressed its support.
During the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting in August, two thematic events were held on “Global Health Financing to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in Africa” and “New Partnership for Health Equity in Africa: Accelerating universal health coverage (UHC) with Innovations toward 2030.” Representatives from African countries and public-private partnership funds participated and engaged in lively discussions.
As in the previous year, many events related to global health were held during the High-Level UN General Assembly Week in September, one of which was the Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministry Channel (FMC) for Global Health Security. The framework, which was launched in March 2024 under the initiative of the U.S. as a successor to the COVID-19 Pandemic Global Prioritized Action Plan for Enhanced Engagement, a foreign ministerial framework for COVID-19 countermeasures, reflects the importance of cooperation and coordination between diplomatic authorities in discussions on international health security. In addition, a Political Declaration on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was approved by consensus at the High-Level Meeting on AMR, and was subsequently adopted by the UN General Assembly in October.
A collective response of the international community is needed for global health crises such as COVID-19. Efforts have been undertaken to review and create international norms to strengthen pandemic PPR. In the 2021 to 2022 period, WHO Member States decided to hold discussions to amend the International Health Regulations (IHR) and to negotiate a new legal instrument on pandemic PPR (“Pandemic Agreement”). Subsequently, after more than two years of discussions and negotiations, amendments to the IHR were adopted by consensus at the World Health Assembly held in May/June 2024. A decision was also made to extend negotiations on the “Pandemic Agreement.” Japan believes that strengthening international norms is important to enhance pandemic PPR, and continues its constructive engagement in negotiations to improve international responses to infectious diseases.
(10) UHC: Universal Health Coverage; All people can receive basic health services when they need them at an affordable cost without financial hardship.
(11) Gavi (The Global Alliance for Vaccines): A public-private partnership to support immunization in developing countries.
(12) An organization that works to promote UHC in the international community, with the aim of achieving UHC by 2030.
(13) MCMs: medical countermeasures
(3) Labor and Employment
Promoting decent work is one of the goals in the 2030 Agenda (Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all), and achieving this is also positioned as a primary objective of the activities of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Through its voluntary funding contributions to the ILO, Japan actively provides support for improving occupational safety and health standards and establishing social insurance systems in developing countries, and is working to promote sustainable development in the area of labor. In January, Japan announced its participation in the initiative for the Global Coalition for Social Justice launched by the ILO, which aims to promote social justice and decent work for all, everywhere, through cooperation that transcends the frameworks of countries, regions, and international organizations, and is contributing to ensuring that the initiative produces concrete results.
(4) Environmental Issues and Climate Change
A Global Environmental Issues
Further awareness has been built worldwide on the importance of addressing global environmental issues and global interest in these issues has also risen, 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 agreements and relevant international organizations. The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, held in Nairobi, Kenya in February, addressed various environmental issues under the theme of “effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.” Japan co-sponsored a resolution on “Promoting synergies, cooperation or collaboration for national implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and other relevant environmental instruments” and led the discussions leading to its adoption. The fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was held in Antigua and Barbuda in May, where discussions were held on the sustainable development of SIDS. Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs HOSAKA Yasushi attended from Japan and introduced Japan's cooperation with SIDS. Furthermore, as one of the major donors to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the World Bank, which serves as a financial mechanism for major multilateral environmental agreements, Japan contributes to projects that address global environmental issues.
(A) Conservation of the Marine Environment
The problem of marine plastic litter, caused by illegal disposal and inappropriate waste management, is a pressing issue that can have a negative impact on marine ecology, tourism, fisheries, and human health. The importance of addressing the problem is growing in recent years. 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), to provide support for environmentally sound management and disposal of plastic waste, primarily in Asia, in the fields such as compiling scientific knowledge and building models necessary for measures against pollution by marine plastic litter. In response to the growing momentum for creating a new international framework to address plastic pollution including in the marine environment, at the resumed session of the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly held in March 2022, it was decided to establish the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the development of an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with the ambition of completing its work by the end of 2024. Japan actively participated in the series of INC sessions, including the fourth session held in Ottawa, Canada in April 2024 and the fifth session held in Busan, ROK in November 2024, with the aim of formulating an effective and progressive treaty in which major plastic consuming and emitting countries participate. At the fifth session of the INC, there was some progress, such as the Chair presenting a new draft text, but differences in opinion among countries continued to exist on issues such as plastic production restrictions, and no substantial agreement was reached on the draft text. A resumed meeting will be held in the future to continue the negotiations, and Japan will continue to actively contribute to the discussions toward an early conclusion.
The High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy,(14) which discusses issues such as marine environmental conservation, fisheries, and the use of marine resources, held its sixth summit in September. Discussions were held on the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) to be held in June 2025, as well as the Panel's contribution to realizing a sustainable ocean economy beyond 2025. In his message, Prime Minister Kishida stated that as a maritime nation, Japan intends to actively participate in UNOC3, and that as a proponent of the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, Japan will continue to actively participate in the negotiations to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. He also cited blue carbon(15) as an example of an area in which the Ocean Panel can contribute after 2025, and introduced Japan's efforts in this area.
(14) A panel made up of leaders of major maritime nations co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Norway and the President of Palau. Since Japan was invited to join at the time of its establishment in 2018, successive Prime Ministers have served as members. The member countries (as of 2024) are Norway, Palau, Japan, Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Seychelles, the UK, and the U.S.
(15) Carbon that is absorbed by coastal and marine ecosystems through photosynthesis and then accumulates on the seafloor or in the deep sea (Source: Ministry of the Environment website)
(B) Conservation of Biodiversity
Japan is actively involved in international discussions on biodiversity conservation. At the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) held in Cali, Colombia in October, Japan participated in discussions to decide on the outline of the multilateral mechanism for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources, as well as the establishment of a subsidiary body for the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, and contributed to the adoption of these decisions. Japan also contributed to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), which operates under the GEF and aims to promote the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The GBFF Council had approved 40 proposals by December of the same year.
In recent years, illegal wildlife trade has intensified, drawing international attention as one of the key sources of funding for international terrorist organizations. Japan has been earnestly addressing this issue through contributions to CITES(16) Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme among others. In recent years, in addition to providing poaching monitoring facilities to Zambia and Rwanda in 2022, Japan has also decided to provide facilities related to wildlife poaching and conservation measures to Botswana in 2022 and to Zimbabwe in 2023. Japan has also been elected as a Standing Committee member representing the Asian region at the 19th Conference of the Parties to the CITES (COP19) held in 2022, and is actively contributing to international discussions during the COP sessions.
Japan also contributes to international rule-making for promoting conservation and sustainable uses of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Through participation in the working group of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) held in April and September, Japan took part in discussions aimed at expanding the scope of genetic resources covered by the Multilateral System (MLS) and improving its functioning in order to promote access to genetic resources and their use in breeding and other areas.
With regard to efforts in the forestry area, through contributions to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Japan continued to implement projects in producing countries in 2024 that contribute to the sustainable management of tropical forests and the promotion of sustainable and legal trade in tropical timber. In May, member countries voted to further extend the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), the basis for the establishment of ITTO, until December 2029. In December, the 60th session of the International Tropical Timber Council was held in Yokohama, where discussions were held on negotiations for a new ITTA looking beyond 2030 as well as administrative and financial matters.
In December, the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where discussions were held on the establishment of a new framework for drought countermeasures. Japan actively participated in discussions in the Committee on Science and Technology, a subsidiary body of the Convention, as well as in discussions on land degradation countermeasures in the Convention's Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention.
(16) CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(C) International Management of Chemicals and Hazardous Waste
From October to November, the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (COP13) and the 36th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP36) were held jointly in Bangkok, Thailand, where discussions were held on the effective implementation of the Protocol, including strengthening atmospheric monitoring. Regarding the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, Japan is moving forward with preparations for the domestic implementation of the amendments to the Annexes adopted at the 2023 Joint BRS Conference of the Parties.
In terms of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, based on a decision made at the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in 2023, a working group was established to evaluate the effectiveness of measures under the Convention. This working group held a total of three meetings in 2024, with Japan contributing to the discussions as co-chair.
B Climate Change
(A) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement
Global efforts are essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are the cause of climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted in 1992, is an international framework for addressing climate change, and its ultimate objective is to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. 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 the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (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 195 countries and organizations, including Japan (as of December 2024).
(B) Initiatives to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050
In October 2020, Japan declared that it would aim to realize carbon neutrality with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and in April 2021, Japan announced that it aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% in fiscal year 2030 from its fiscal year 2013 levels. Furthermore, Japan announced to continue its strenuous efforts in its challenge to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emissions by 50%. Based on this, in October 2021, Japan submitted its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that reflects the new reduction target and Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement that reflects initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat.
(C) 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to UNFCCC (COP29)
At COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11 to 24, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), a new goal for the period after 2025 which replaces the previous goal for developed countries to jointly mobilize 100 billion U.S. dollars per year, was discussed. As a result, the decision to set the goal of “at least 300 billion U.S dollars per year by 2035” to support developing countries was adopted. It was also decided to call on all actors to work together to enable the scaling up of financing to developing country Parties for climate action from all public and private sources to at least 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars per year by 2035.
In addition, with regard to mitigation, efforts toward decarbonization of buildings and urban systems were discussed. Furthermore, detailed implementation rules for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement were adopted, which concerns international transfer of the amount of greenhouse gas emission reductions and removals, realizing the full operationalization of the Article.
(D) Providing Assistance to Developing Coun­tries for Climate Action
Developed countries, including Japan, are providing various forms of assistance to developing countries, including financial support, capacity building, and technology transfer, so that developing countries can implement sufficient climate action.
At the G7 Cornwall Summit and the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in 2021, Japan announced that it would provide climate assistance in both private and public finance up to approximately 70 billion U.S. dollars over the five years from 2021 to 2025, and as part of this, it would double its assistance for adaptation, totaling approximately 14.8 billion U.S. dollars. Japan continues to steadily implement this assistance.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF), a multilateral fund that provides support for developing countries to address climate change, also plays an important role in this assistance. Japan has contributed a total of approximately 319 billion Japanese yen to the fund to date, and in October 2023, Japan announced that it would contribute up to approximately 165 billion Japanese yen during the second replenishment period (2024 to 2027), which is the same amount as in the first replenishment.
In addition, the Global Shield Financing Facility (GSFF) was launched in 2022 as a multi-donor trust fund under the World Bank with the aim of increasing the capacity of developing countries to cope with climate change and disasters, and to increase their financial resilience. GSFF provides financial and technical assistance for risk financing such as disaster risk insurance, including the establishment and strengthening of regional risk pools and premium financing for risk transfer, to which Japan also contributed 685 million Japanese yen in March 2024.
At COP28, held in 2023, the basic institutional design of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) was decided so that particularly vulnerable developing countries address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change. Japan contributed 10 million U.S. dollars (1.37 billion Japanese yen) to the Fund in March 2024. FRLD's board held a total of four meetings between April and December, deciding that the Philippines would be the host country of the board, and making progress in selecting the Executive Director and in developing the legal arrangements for establishing the Fund's secretariat in the World Bank. As a member of the board, Japan is actively contributing to discussions aimed at the appropriate operationalization of the Fund.
(E) Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Platform(17)
In October, Japan took the opportunity of the ASEAN related Summit Meetings (Vientiane, Laos) to host the 2nd Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting, where it reaffirm the importance of the AZEC principles, which consist of pursuing net-zero emissions through various pathways, taking into account each country's national circumstances, such as industrial structure and energy mix, with a view to simultaneously achieving decarbonization, economic growth, and energy security. At the meeting, the leaders of the AZEC partner countries adopted the AZEC Leaders' Joint Statement, which reaffirmed that the AZEC partner countries intend to contribute to global decarbonization by accelerating implementation of their regional strategies to promote energy transition and decarbonization through various pathways. In addition, the leaders concurred in the Action Plan for the Next Decade, which consists of the following three pillars: (a) promoting “AZEC solutions,” such as developing rules to promote activities that contribute to decarbonization in Asia; (b) launching initiatives for decarbonization and emission reductions in the sectors with high greenhouse gas emissions; and (c) promoting tangible projects. Furthermore, Prime Minister Ishiba acknowledged that approximately 120 cooperation projects have been developed between Japan and AZEC partner countries since the 1st Leaders Meeting in December 2023. He also announced his intention to conduct studies to develop projects in Laos through Japan's Co-creation for common agenda initiative, to support Laos to be a regional clean energy hub in the future, with a view to contributing to the decarbonization in the region.
(17) Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC): a platform proposed by Japan in January 2022, with the aim of Asian countries sharing the idea of promoting decarbonization and cooperating to advance the energy transition. There are 11 countries participating: Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, Brunei, Viet Nam, Malaysia, and Laos.
(F) Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)
The JCM is a mechanism for contributing to greenhouse gas emissions reduction and removal in partner countries through diffusion of advanced decarbonization technologies to these countries. The mechanism allows Japan to acquire a portion of credits from its contribution, assisting both Japan and the partner countries to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The “Grand Design and Action Plan for New Capitalism, Follow-up,” approved by the Cabinet in June 2022, aims to have around 30 JCM partner countries around the world by 2025, and will accelerate discussions with relevant countries. In 2024, a new Memorandum of Cooperation on the Joint Crediting Mechanism was signed with Ukraine, bringing the number of partner countries to 29 at the end of the year. As of December 2024, more than 250 JCM projects are being implemented with partner countries. Japan will continue to promote projects and discover new cases to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
(G) Request for Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice and Japan's Response
In March 2023, following the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the obligations of States in respect of climate change, procedures are being carried out for the issuance of the advisory opinion by the ICJ. Japan submitted a written statement to the ICJ in March 2024, and then made a statement at the oral proceedings in December 2024. In the oral statement, Japan explained its basic position and efforts regarding climate action, and expressed Japan's views on its obligations under international law and legal consequences in the field of climate change. Specifically, the report stated that while taking into account established international law in the field of the environment, the ICJ's advisory opinion should determine each country's obligations based on international agreements such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, which are the main legal frameworks for combating climate change and to which the majority of the international community is party. Japan will continue to contribute to the activities of the ICJ, including participation in oral proceedings, thereby actively engaging in strengthening the rule of law in the international community, and will also work proactively to address climate change, which is a common and urgent challenge for all humanity.
(5) Arctic and Antarctic
A Arctic
(A) Current State of the Arctic
The Arctic Circle is centered on the Arctic Ocean and extends north of 66°33' north latitude. Five countries (the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Norway, and Russia) are the Arctic Ocean coastal States, and eight countries (adding Iceland, Sweden, and Finland to the above five countries) are the Arctic States.
If effective countermeasures are not taken, the Arctic Ocean's summer sea ice will likely disappear almost completely by the middle of this century. Furthermore, the effects of global warming are more amplified in the Arctic than in any other region of the globe, and rapid changes in the Arctic environment due to global warming could have serious and irreversible effects on the livelihoods of the inhabitants and the ecosystems of the Arctic. On the other hand, the decreasing amount of sea ice is giving rise to growing economic opportunities such as the use of the Northern Sea Route and the development of resources. Some Arctic States are also strengthening their security initiatives to secure their own interests.
The Arctic Council (AC),(18) established by the eight Arctic States, plays a central role in addressing issues related to the Arctic. Based on the discussions and knowledge sharing with relevant countries and Indigenous peoples at the AC, policies decided at the Ministerial meetings are orienting cooperation in the Arctic. The Arctic policies of the Arctic States have identified climate change measures, environmental protection, sustainable development, and the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous peoples as priority issues, and cooperation on these issues is also taking place at the AC. In addition, while the AC does not address military and security issues, peace and security in the Arctic is a major challenge among the Arctic States.
Non-Arctic states have also become increasingly interested in the Arctic in recent years due to global warming and expanding economic opportunities. On top of Japan, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, China, India, Italy, Singapore, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Switzerland are observer states to the AC.
(18) An intergovernmental consultation body established in 1996 with the aim of promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the eight Arctic States (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 does not address military and security issues.) Japan obtained the observer status in 2013.
(B) Japan's Arctic Policy and International Activities
Japan is aiming to contribute to the global society with an emphasis on the three areas, research and development, international cooperation, and sustainable use, based on “Japan's Arctic Policy” announced in 2015. Japan established the post of Ambassador in charge of Arctic Affairs to oversee issues related to the Arctic. In addition, the “Ocean Development Strategy” formulated in 2024 also calls for the pursuit of research and development and sustainable utilization of the Arctic region, as well as the promotion of international cooperation in the Arctic policy.
Japan places importance on cooperation related to the Arctic in its bilateral relations and regional cooperation with the Arctic States. Japan's Nordic Diplomacy Initiative, the basic policy of Japan's Nordic diplomacy, announced during Foreign Minister Kamikawa's visit to Finland in January, also lists the Arctic as a major area of cooperation. Additionally, as an observer of the AC, Japan has been contributing to the AC's efforts through discussions and knowledge sharing at the Senior Arctic Official meetings, the sectoral Working Groups, and the Expert Groups of the AC on topics such as conservation of Arctic flora and fauna, protection of Arctic marine environment, and sustainable development, and will continue to actively participate in these meetings. Furthermore, various forums hosted by the Arctic States and attended by a wide range of stakeholders from industry, government, and academia are also promoting the exchange of opinions and knowledge sharing on issues related to the Arctic. Japan also participates in these forums to share its knowledge on Arctic scientific research and to communicate the importance of the rule of law in the Arctic Ocean.
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 adopted in 1959, 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 Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the Protection of Antarctic Environment
At the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM46), held in Kochi, India in May, discussions were held on a framework for tourism activities in the Antarctic, information exchange, and the engagement of the Antarctic Treaty System in addressing climate change issues.
(C) Japan's Antarctic Observation
As for Japan's Antarctic observation activities, Japan is implementing research and observation activities based on the 10th six-year plan of the Japanese Antarctic Research program (from FY2022 to FY2027), in addition to long-term continuous observation. The 10th six-year plan aims to conduct various research observation to understand past and present changes in the ice sheets, ocean and atmospheric general circulation, and upper atmosphere in the Antarctic region as well as elucidating their mechanisms.