Japan
Support for Mine Action
In 2018, Japan contributed ¥4.1 billion (US$37.2 million) in mine action funding to 21 countries, as well as to global activities.[1] The largest contribution went to Lao PDR, receiving more than ¥1.2 billion ($11million) and representing 30% of Japan’s total funding.
Japan reported contributing ¥926 million ($8.4 million)—or 23% of its total mine action funding, the same share as in 2017—through the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to support mine action projects in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria, as well as some coordination/advocacy costs.
In February 2018, Japan reiterated its will to provide “continuous support” to the most heavily mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW)-affected countries, and recognized the importance of providing comprehensive support to victim assistance.[2]
Contributions by recipient: 2018[3]
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (¥) |
Amount ($) |
Lao PDR |
Capacity-building and clearance |
1,219,341,283 |
11,044,758 |
Iraq |
Clearance and victim assistance |
672,257,064 |
6,089,285 |
Afghanistan |
Various |
379,700,045 |
3,439,312 |
Sri Lanka |
Clearance |
275,931,442 |
2,499,379 |
Sudan |
Various |
231,818,362 |
2,099,804 |
Cambodia |
Capacity-building and clearance |
167,003,957 |
1,512,717 |
South Sudan |
Capacity-building |
162,108,490 |
1,468,374 |
Syria |
Various |
154,757,064 |
1,401,785 |
Lebanon |
Clearance |
134,369,054 |
1,217,111 |
Somalia |
Clearance and risk education |
110,400,000 |
1,000,000 |
Jordan |
Victim assistance |
98,571,413 |
892,857 |
Palau |
Clearance |
98,334,494 |
890,711 |
Angola |
Clearance |
87,541,570 |
792,949 |
Vietnam |
Clearance |
68,999,669 |
624,997 |
Serbia |
Clearance |
68,998,013 |
624,982 |
Zimbabwe |
Clearance |
66,694,186 |
604,114 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Clearance |
33,127,397 |
300,067 |
DRC |
Clearance |
33,120,000 |
300,000 |
Palestine |
Victim assistance |
15,040,454 |
136,236 |
Global (UNMAS) |
Advocacy |
10,069,032 |
91,205 |
Kosovo |
Clearance |
9,677,002 |
87,654 |
Georgia |
Clearance |
7,031,597 |
63,692 |
Total |
4,104,891,588 |
37,181,989 |
From 2014–2018, Japan contributed ¥23.3 billion ($208.7 million) to mine action activities; this is similar to its total contribution for the previous five-year period from 2009–2013, when it provided ¥23 billion, although after conversion into US dollars this represents a decrease of 20% with $259 million provided. Since the end of 2012, the decrease in the value of the yen has had a strong impact on the US dollar value of Japan’s contributions, as illustrated in the table below.
Summary of contributions: 2014–2018[4]
Year |
Amount (¥) |
% change from previous year (¥) |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year (US$) |
2018 |
4,104,891,588 |
+13 |
37,181,989 |
+15 |
2017 |
3,638,476,782 |
-18 |
32,457,420 |
-20 |
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 |
Total |
23,320,085,713 |
208,693,529 |
[1] Average exchange rate for 2018: ¥110.4=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2019.
[2] Statement of Japan, Third Annual Pledging Conference for the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 27 February 2018.
[3] Convetion on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2019.
[4] See previous Monitor reports.