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Japan's Contributions

Japan proposes a Panel of Governmental Experts

The first significant, international-level assertion of addressing the issue of small arms was made by the UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in his report, "Supplement to An Agenda for Peace" in 1995. At the 50th Session of the UN General Assembly, Japan introduced a draft resolution on the establishment of a panel of experts to discuss the issue. As a result of this effort, a Panel of Governmental Experts on Small Arms, comprising representatives from 16 countries, was established within the UN, with Mitsuro Donowaki, a former Japanese ambassador, serving as chairman.
In 1997 the Panel drafted a Secretary-General's Report which contained 23 recommendations. It was well received by disarmament experts around the world. In follow-up, the Group of Governmental Experts on Small Arms, comprising representatives from 23 countries, again chaired by Ambassador Mitsuro Donowaki, was formed in 1998 with a Japan-introduced UN General Assembly resolution. The group recommended 27 measures in the Secretary-General's Report issued in 1999.

Japanese Official Development Assistance
Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA): technological assistance and provision of school facilities.

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