Embassy of Japan

Press Releases

Press Releases 2004

Japan Hosted International Meeting for Reconstruction of Iraq (10/13, Tokyo)

Embassy of Japan
October 15, 2004

The Third Expanded Meeting of the Donor Committee of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) was held in Tokyo on 13 October at the invitation of the Government of Japan. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Akio Shirota, Ambassador of Japan in charge of reconstruction assistance to Iraq. Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan made the opening address. Excerpts follow:

"One year ago at the Madrid Conference, Japan pledged a total of up to $5 billion, of which $1.5 billion was grant assistance to meet immediate needs. Yesterday, we have decided to extend grant assistance of $144 million to support three hospitals in Baghdad, Kut and Amara as well as projects in the field of telecommunication. The concrete results of Japanese grant aid can now be seen in the form of visible projects on the ground. Japan is deploying Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the humanitarian reconstruction activities of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in parallel to support Iraqi reconstruction."

"Japan will continue these efforts in the future. The elections to be held by the end of January next year are of the utmost importance. In order that the elections take place successfully and on schedule, I am pleased to announce today that Japan will contribute $40 million of its overall contribution to the IRFFI to supporting the elections. Japan also takes this opportunity to call on all countries to contribute towards the smooth running of the elections."

"In the aftermath of the Second World War, Japan strived to rebuild her economy with economic assistance from foreign countries. However, the Japanese post-war recovery was not completed within a few years and our eventual success was based on our own recovery plan as well as on the resolute and patient efforts of the Japanese people. As a country that has experienced this process of post-war recovery, Japan supports the Iraqi people in their reconstruction efforts."

The entire text of his speech can be found by clicking here.

The Tokyo Meeting was the first meeting of donors since the handover of sovereign authority on 28 June. Including the delegation from the Iraqi Interim Government (IIG), a total of 57 countries and institutions attended the meeting; this wide attendance represented an emphatic reaffirmation of the message of long-term solidarity between the international community and the Iraqi people.

Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq Dr. Barham Salih made a keynote speech. The IIG's vision for Iraq was of a market-based, peaceful and democratic country with a fully accountable government that would be fully integrated into the international community and which would in time play its role in support of others in need of assistance. In his speech entitled "Madrid One Year Later" Dr. Mehdi Al-Hafedh, Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation and Chairman of the Iraqi Strategic Review Board, emphasized that, although there was still a long way to go, the Iraqi people had witnessed considerable progress to date.

The Expanded Meeting welcomed the offer made by the Jordanian government to host the next meeting. The venue of the next meeting was discussed in the Donor Committee Meeting on 14 October and it was decided that Jordan would host the meeting next spring.

Japan's Assistance for Iraq

I. Deployment of Japan Self-Defense Force to Provide Humanitarian Assistance in Iraq

* The total number of JSDF personnel participating in the effort for the reconstruction of Iraq is approximately 1,000, including up to 600 GSDF troops, several MSDF vessels and ASDF aircraft.
* The third contingent of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces was dispatched to Iraq on August 8. These new forces represent Japan’s firm commitment to the hand-on reconstruction of Iraq.
* Japan Air Self-Defense Force, with its aircraft (C-130), started to transport humanitarian relief supplies between Kuwait and Iraq on March 3rd, 2004. During the period between March 3rd and October 7th, the supplies carried amounted to 176.7 tons in 70 times.

II. Economic Assistance (Updated on October 13, 2004)

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* Overview
At the International Donors’ Conference on the Reconstruction of Iraq held in Madrid on 24 October 2003, Japan announced its financial assistance package totaling up to $5 billion.
The package comprises (a) $1.5 billion of grant aid for immediate needs through 2004, and (b) up to $3.5 billion, mainly in the form of soft loans (yen loans), in order to meet medium-term needs during the period until approximately the end of 2007.
It is Japan’s policy to support the reconstruction of Iraq through the deployment in parallel of ODA (Official Development Assistance) and the humanitarian and reconstruction activities in Al-Muthanna of the Self-Defense Forces.

1. $ 1.5 billion grant
Japanese priorities for grant assistance are areas such as power generation, education, water and sanitation, health and employment, as well as those related to the improvement of security in Iraq.
Out of $1.5 billion, approximately $1.3 billion has already been disbursed or decided as follows:
- Direct assistance for Iraq (approximately $ 681 million)
- Assistance through international organizations (approximately $ 90 million)
- Assistance in cooperation with NGOs (approximately $ 25 million)
- Assistance through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq ($ 490 million: $ 360 million for UNDG including $ 40 million for election support, $ 130 million for WB)
- Others (including $ 6 million technical cooperation, $ 10 million for IFC)

2. Up to $3.5 billion mainly through yen loans
Japan will provide up to $3.5 billion mainly through concessionary loans (yen loans) to meet the mid-term reconstruction needs between 2005-2007, taking account of the advancement of the political process, developments toward the solution of outstanding debt issues and the improvement of the security situation.
In addition to the areas mentioned above, Japanese yen loans will also focus on infrastructure development, including telecommunications and transportation.

(1) Electricity
<Direct Assistance>
- Provision of 27 mobile substations throughout Iraq
- Rehabilitation of Taji Gas Turbine Power Station
- Rehabilitation of Mosul Gas Turbine Power Station
- Rehabilitation of Mosul Hydroelectric Power Station
<Assistance through International Organizations>
- Emergency Rehabilitation of the Hartha Power Station (UNDP)
- Rehabilitation of the National Dispatch Centre (UNDP)
<Technical cooperation>
- Training of 45 technicians in cooperation with Jordan (May to July, 2004)
<<Assistance through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)>>
- UNDP ($ 121.8 million)

(2) Health / Medical care
<Direct Assistance>
- Rehabilitation of and provision of equipment to 3 general hospitals in the Central Region (Baghdad, Amarah and Kut)
- Rehabilitation of and provision of equipment to 4 general hospitals in the South
(Nasiriyah, Najaf, Diwaniyah, and Samawah)
- Rehabilitation of and provision of equipment to 4 general hospitals in the North
(Kirkuk, Arbil, Mosul, Dahuk)
- Provision of 10 ambulances in Nineveh Governorate
- Provision of 32 ambulances in Al-Muthanna Governorate
- Provision of Emergency Medical Supplies to Samawa General Hospital
- Provision of medical equipment to the Al-Rumaytha and Al-Khidhur Hospitals
<Assistance through International Organizations>
- Emergency Rehabilitation of Al-Kadhimiya Hospital (UNDP)
<Assistance in cooperation with NGOs>
- Provision of medical equipment to Samawa Maternity and Children Hospital
(Japanese NGO)
- Provision of medicines through the Hashemite Charity Organization
(Jordanian NGO)
- Provision of medical equipment through CARE International (International NGO)
- Medical projects and emergency rehabilitation of public facilities (Japanese NGO)
<Technical cooperation>
- Training of 100 medical staff in cooperation with Egypt (March, 2004)
<<Assistance through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)>>
- WHO ($ 11 million)
- UNFPA ($ 7 million)
- UNDG ($ 20 million)
- UNICEF ($ 8 million)

(3) Water / Sanitation
<Direct Assistance>
- Provision of 30 compact units to the city of Baghdad
- Provision of 38 water tankers, 6 water purification units and 311 water tankers to Al-Muthanna Governorate
- Provision of special vehicles for garbage disposal and sewage cleaning throughout Iraq
- Maintenance of 4 sewerage plants and 2 waterworks in Al-Muthanna Governorate
<Assistance in cooperation with NGOs>
- Rehabilitation of water and sewage facilities in schools in Baghdad and Nineveh (Japanese NGO)
<Technical cooperation>
- Training of 24 officials in the field of water resource management in cooperation with - - Jordan (August to September, 2004)
<<Assistance through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)>>
- UNICEF ($ 21.5 million)
- WB ($ 90 million)

(4) Education
<Direct Assistance>
- Maintenance of 8 elementary schools and 1 technical school in Baghdad
- Rehabilitation of junior high schools in Mosul
- Improving Hibatoallah Institute for Down syndrome in Baghdad
<Assistance through International Organizations>
- Reactivation of Primary Education in Iraq (“Back to Schools”) (UNICEF)
- School Rehabilitation Project (UN-HABITAT)
<Assistance in cooperation with NGOs>
- Urgent repairs of primary schools in Baghdad (Japanese NGO)
<<Assistance through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)>>
- UNESCO ($ 10.09 million)
- UNICEF ($ 32 million)
- UN-HABITAT ($ 17.4 million)
- UNDG ($ 1.4 million)

(5) Employment / Infrastructure
<Direct Assistance>
- Improvement of Trunk Communications Network
- Improvement of Transit Switchs
- Rehabilitation of Khider-Daraji Road in Al-Muthanna
- Rehabilitation of Mahdi-Sawa Road in Al-Muthanna
- Provision of Equipment for Repair and Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in Al-Muthanna
<Assistance through International Organizations>
- Umm Qasr Port Project (UNDP)
- Iraq Reconstruction and Employment Program (IREP) in Baghdad (UNDP)
- IREP2 in North and South of Iraq (UNDP)
- Community rehabilitation Project (UN-HABITAT)
<<Assistance through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)>>
- UNDG ($ 10 million)
- UNDP: Maritime transportation ($ 24.8 million)
- UN-HABITAT ($ 16 million)

(6) Security
<Direct Assistance>
- Provision of 1,150 Police vehicles
- Provision of 70 fire-trucks to Baghdad, Al Basra and Al-Muthanna
- Provision of 20 Armored vehicles to Baghdad and Al-Muthanna　

(7) Others
<Direct Assistance>
- Humanitarian operation in the Umm Qasr Community
- Equipment supply for Rashid District in Baghdad
- Provision of broadcasting equipment to Al-Muthanna TV Station
- Provision of office machinery to autonomies in Baghdad
- Provision of furniture and playground equipment to a disabled children centre in Baghdad
- Provision of football equipment to the Iraqi Football Association and Al-Muthanna Governorate
- Supply of the Japanese TV program “OSHIN”
- Provision of Judo equipment to the Iraqi Judo Federation
- Rehabilitation of the Olympic Stadium in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna
- Invitation to Japan of the Director-General of Health and Director of 4 hospitals in Al-Muthanna governorate
<Assistance through International Organizations>
- Emergency Humanitarian Assistance (UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, ICRC)
<Technical cooperation>
- Training of 19 Iraqi diplomats in Japan (September to October, 2004)
- Training of 11 Al-Muthanna TV staff in Japan (September to October, 2004)
- Training of 20 statisticians in cooperation with Jordan (August, 2004)
- Training of 15 museum and relic management officials in cooperation with Jordan (September, 2004)
<<Assistance through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI)>>
- UNEP: Environment ($15.7 million)
- UNESCO: Culture($ 1.55 million)
- WB: Private sector development ($ 40 million)
- UNDG: Election support ($ 40 million)

III. Cultural Assistance (Updated on July 7, 2004)

* The Government of Japan (GOJ) is determined to offer the most possible support to the continued tenacious efforts by the Iraqi people, who still face very difficult circumstances.
* It is important that the Iraqi people maintain hope and improve their prospects for the future while tackling their difficulties. Japan's assistance in the fields of culture and sports is expected to provide moral support for the Iraqi efforts to reconstruct their country. The rich history represented by the cultural heritage in Iraq is a credit to the country, and sports contribute to their solidarity.
* Cultural assistance may also serve to elicit more understanding of Japan by diffusing soft images of Japan (e.g. politeness, kindness) throughout Iraq.
* As can be seen from Japan's experience of reconstruction after World War II, it is extremely important and pressing for the future development of Iraq, to improve the quality of education in order to nurture human resources.

1. Provision of TV Programs
(1) Provision of "Oshin"
"Oshin" is a TV drama depicting the life of a Japanese woman who overcame poverty and difficulties before, during, and after WWII. "Oshin" has been broadcast in 59 countries and has been very popular in many countries, in particular in Middle Eastern countries.
In October 2003, the GOJ (the Japan Foundation), in cooperation with Egyptian R & T.V Union, provided 96 episodes (mainly about the woman's childhood) of "Oshin" with subtitles in Arabic to the Iraqi Media Network (IMN) free of charge.
(2) Provision of other TV programs
In April, the Japan Foundation provided the TV program "Project X" to the Lebanon-based Future Satellite TV. (It is a satellite TV station with viewers primarily from Arabic speaking countries including Iraq.)

2. Sports Assistance
(1) Donation of football equipment by the Japan Football Association (JFA)
In November 2003, the JFA donated football equipment (1214 balls, 4853 uniforms, and 394 pairs of spiked shoes) to the Iraq Football Association (IFA). The equipment was collected from all over Japan on the initiative of the JFA.
The GOJ provided transportation for the football equipment to Baghdad (under the framework of Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects).
(2) Provision of football equipment to the southern Iraq including Samawah
The GOJ has decided to provide football equipment (1000 balls, 3000 game jackets, and 20 inflators) to the Department of Youth and Sports in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna (under the framework of Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects). Part of equipment provided by the Government was transported from Kuwait to Samawah by C-130H of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF). The handover ceremony took place on May 23 at the SDF camp in Samawah. An exchange soccer match was convened between three soccer clubs in Samawah and the SDF team on June 10, using soccer balls provided.
(3) Cooperation Relating to the International Friendly Football Match between Japanese and Iraqi National Football Teams on February 12, 2004
The GOJ provided travel expenses for the Iraqi National Team members through the Japan Foundation.
The GOJ provided assistance for the Iraqi Media Network (IMN) to conduct a live broadcast of the friendly football match so that as many people in Iraq as possible could watch the game. The GOJ also provided coverage assistance to the Lebanon-based Future Satellite TV, which was visiting Japan at the invitation of the MOFA.
On February 12, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Aisawa held a ceremony to present footballs (the design of the balls is same as that of the balls provided to southern Iraq) to the Vice President of the Iraqi Football Association, Mr. Ahmed Radhi, as a token of appreciation for his visit.
(4) Assistance involving Judo
The GOJ, in cooperation with the Kodokan Judo Institute, invited the President of the Iraq Judo Federation (IJF) Sameir S. al-Mousoy to visit Japan from February 22 to March 6 as a part of a sports exchange assistance program.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the GOJ decided to provide the IJF with 50 blue judo uniforms for international matches and transportation assistance for judo equipment (100 white judo uniforms and 2 sets of tatami mats for official matches (approximately 200 mats)) donated by the All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF) under the framework of Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects.
On March 3, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Abe held a ceremony to present the list of judo equipment donated by the GOJ and AJJF to the President of IJF, Sameir S. al-Mousoy.
(5) Assistance for athletes aiming to participate in international competitions
The Government invited Chairman Ahmed al-Samarrai of the National Olympic Committee of Iraq to Japan (April 13 - 17). Chairman al-Samarrai paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi, and exchanged opinions with the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the members of the Japanese Olympic Committee on Japan's assistance for the Iraqi athletes aiming to participate in international games such as the Athens Olympics 2004. He then observed the training and other facilities which will accept the Iraqi athletes.
Trying to provide hope and solidarity towards reconstruction among Iraqi nationals, Japan is considering the provision of assistance for Iraqi athletes aiming to participate in international games such as the Athens Olympic Games in August 2004, the Pan-Arab Sports Games in September 2004, and the Asia Sports Games in 2006.

3. Assistance Related to Culture and Education
(1) Assistance to the Iraq National Museum
The assistance for the recovery of the restoration laboratory of the Iraqi National Museum of Iraq (provision of equipment, human resources development, and management of facility) is being implemented based on an additional contribution from the GOJ to the UNESCO/Japan Trust Fund. The Japan Foundation invited Director General of the Iraqi National Museum Donny George to Japan from March 30 to April 6. Mr. Donny George held several meetings with government officials.
(2) Provision of vehicles for protection of cultural heritage, etc.
The GOJ has earmarked part of the contributions which it provided to the UN Trust Fund to assist the reconstruction of Iraq to be used in cultural projects of UNESCO and a project to provide vehicles for protection of cultural heritage is scheduled to be implemented.

4. Educational assistance
The GOJ decided to contribute approximately $1 million through the Japanese Fund-in -Trust for the Capacity-building of Human Resources in UNESCO to conduct research on the local needs and to start emergency assistance (training of staff members and launching of websites) for the Ministry of Education of Iraq.
The GOJ has appropriated part of the contributions it provided to the UN Trust Fund to assist the reconstruction of Iraq for educational projects of UNESCO, and projects such as assistance for literacy education and capacity building of educational personnel are scheduled to be implemented.

5. Japan-French Cooperation on Sports and Cultural Assistance for Iraq
In early February 2004, Special Advisor to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Yukio Okamura. visited France and agreed with the French Government to pursue Franco-Japanese cooperation on sports and cultural assistance for Iraq.
After discussions at working levels, Japanese Foreign Minister Kawaguchi and French Foreign Minister de Villepin agreed to move forward on the following cooperative projects:
Provision of support, inter alia, for the exhibition of Iraq National Museum and rehabilitation of Iraq National Library and Iraq National Archives.
Provision of support for Iraqi athletes aiming to participate in international competitions