Japan
Support for Mine Action
In 2016, Japan contributed ¥4.4 billion (US$40.7 million) in mine action funding to 22 countries, as well as to global activities.[1] The largest contribution went to Cambodia, receiving more than ¥1.7 billion ($16.5 million) and representing 40% of Japan’s total funding.
Japan reported contributing ¥1.3 billion ($11.9 million)—or 30% of its total mine action funding—through UNMAS to support mine action projects in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Iraq, Mali, Palestine, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria, as well as some coordination costs.
In April 2015, Japan reiterated its will to provide “continuous support” to the most heavily mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW)-affected countries, and recognized the importance of providing comprehensive support to victim assistance.[2]
Contributions by recipient: 2016[3]
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (¥) |
Amount ($) |
Cambodia |
Clearance and victim assistance |
1,787,950,860 |
16,454,545 |
Iraq |
Clearance and risk education |
645,940,236 |
5,944,600 |
Afghanistan |
Clearance and risk education |
342,094,387 |
3,148,301 |
DRC |
Clearance and risk education |
187,705,804 |
1,727,460 |
Lebanon |
Clearance |
170,270,111 |
1,566,999 |
Colombia |
Clearance |
162,773,441 |
1,498,007 |
Sri Lanka |
Clearance |
154,161,266 |
1,418,749 |
Somalia |
Clearance and risk education |
98,445,960 |
906,000 |
South Sudan |
Clearance and risk education |
98,445,960 |
906,000 |
Sudan |
Various |
98,445,960 |
906,000 |
Palestine |
Clearance and risk education |
98,407,929 |
905,650 |
Syria |
Various |
98,407,929 |
905,650 |
Thailand |
Clearance |
87,609,950 |
806,276 |
Lao PDR |
Clearance |
62,768,753 |
577,662 |
Vietnam |
Clearance |
62,537,090 |
575,530 |
Angola |
Clearance |
59,763,000 |
550,000 |
Mali |
Various |
49,440,300 |
455,000 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Clearance |
39,050,339 |
359,381 |
Georgia |
Clearance |
37,596,360 |
346,000 |
Global |
Various |
36,059,690 |
331,858 |
Ukraine |
Risk education |
20,645,400 |
190,000 |
Yemen |
Risk education |
19,652,248 |
180,860 |
Chad |
Victim assistance |
8,149,500 |
75,000 |
Total |
|
4,426,322,473 |
40,735,528 |
From 2012–2016, Japan contributed ¥26.4 billion ($260.7 million) to mine action activities; this is approximately 20% more than its total contribution for the previous five-year period from 2007–2011, when it provided ¥21.5 billion ($224.8 million).[4]
Since the end of 2012, the decrease in the value of the yen has had a strong impact on the US dollar value of Japan’s contributions, as illustrated in the table below.
Summary of contributions: 2012–2016[5]
Year |
Amount (¥) |
% change from previous year (¥) |
Amount ($) |
% change from previous year ($) |
2016 |
4,426,322,473 |
-26 |
40,735,528 |
-17 |
2015 |
5,963,052,282 |
+15 |
49,261,068 |
0 |
2014 |
5,187,342,588 |
-17 |
49,057,524 |
-23 |
2013 |
6,243,644,362 |
+36 |
63,971,766 |
+11 |
2012 |
4,599,974,319 |
+34 |
57,629,345 |
+34 |
Total |
26,420,336,024 |
|
260,655,231 |
|
[1] Average exchange rate for 2016: ¥108.66=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2017.
[2] Statement of Japan, UNMAS-JICA Joint Seminar, “Building Bridges for a Mine Free World – South South Cooperation in Mine Action,” New York, 23 April 2015.
[3] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2017.
[4] See, Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, “Country Profile: Japan: Support for Mine Action,” 19 September 2012.
[5] See previous Monitor reports.