Japan

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 25 September 2019

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.