Japan

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 26 September 2017

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.