II. Japan's Role in the Area of Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects

Development

UNHCR Sadako Ogata and other panelists at the International Symposium on Human Security held in Tokyo on July 28, 2000

Since the end of the Cold War, the Government of Japan has been deeply interested in how international society can manage development issues in a world freed from East-West confrontation. Now, at the dawn of the 21st century, Japan's basic concept is that, in the overwhelming wave of globalization, center to the matter is securing the livelihood and dignity of individuals against a wide range of border-crossing threats to the human beings.

A New Development Strategy

During the Cold War, the structure of international debate on development was consigned to East-West dualism, and, accordingly, the North-South dispute was in a sense a variation of the Iron Curtain confrontation. Japan has advocated that the end of the Cold War is a precious opportunity for the world to enter the era of genuine discussion on development, freed from the Cold War system. This is the reason why Japan proposed a "New Development Strategy," consisting of the following major elements.

First comes a "New Global Partnership" coupled with the principle of "ownership." Japan believes that what is indispensable is the self-motivated approach by developing countries themselves, and then an international circle which assists them when necessary. Second is a "comprehensive approach" and "individual approach." Official development assistance (ODA) should continue to be an important element in addressing individual development issues. However, it is necessary now to formulate multifaceted development policies that employ a range of tools. In addition to ODA, which enable the designation of specific aid policy packages in accordance with respective needs for assistance, these include trade, private investment, and the transfer of technology.

A big step toward implementing the "New Development Strategy in Africa" was the Tokyo International Conference on African Development II (TICAD II). TICAD II took place in October 1998, with participation by a number of high-level leaders from African, Asian, and donor countries and international organizations including the United Nations. The Conference adopted the "Tokyo Agenda for Action" for 21st century African Development, which contains concrete objectives and priority policy tools in three fields: social development, economic development and premises for development such as good governance and conflict prevention.

For the 21st Century - Human Security in Globalization

With goods, capital, technology and information now moving more freely, globalization has been proceeding with enormous momentum. At the same time, issues such as environmental degradation, terrorism, violations of human rights, transnational organized crimes, illicit drug trafficking, refugees, antipersonnel landmines, poverty and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS are becoming more severe, moving across borders to directly threaten human survival, livelihood and dignity.

Under these circumstances, it has become more and more crucial to enhance the freedom of individuals and their abundant potential to live creative and valuable lives. This is the perspective of "human security." With a focus on "human security" Japan considers it essential to protect individual human beings from the aforementioned threats and build the capacity of people to cope with such menaces.

Another aspect of "human security" is the perception that it requires close partnership between governments and other actors to support individuals effectively against diversifying threats. While national safety and prosperity are indispensable, international organizations and civil society are also expected to make efforts to defend individuals from a variety of threats together with governments.

Japan's Initiative

In his policy speech "Toward the Creation of A Bright Future for Asia" at Hanoi in December 1998 by then-Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, the Government of Japan clearly positioned "human security" in Japan's foreign policy: Obuchi noted Japan's emphasis on human security as one of Japan's efforts to realize a 21st century of peace and prosperity built on human dignity. These remarks partly originate from the experience of the 1997 Asian economic crisis, where the poorest and weakest in Asia were most severely hit by turbulence in global financial factors. That was the background of Obuchi's speech: in the era of globalization, new cross-border threats directly damage vulnerable individuals.

After Obuchi's statement, Japan has taken some concrete measures to realize the "human security" perspective in actual development issues. It founded a "Human Security Fund" at the UN Secretariat to help international organizations carry out such projects that directly benefit individuals. Japan has also hosted international symposia on human security. In June 1999, one named "Development: With a Special Focus on Human Security" was convened in Tokyo, raising issues such as poverty eradication, health and medical care and African development. The second symposium was convened in July 2000, aiming to bridge the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit and the UN Millennium Summit in order to address the challenges of the 21st century. Particular attention was paid to humanitarian affairs, infectious diseases, information technology and the environment at the symposium, where the significance of the human security perspective was reconfirmed.