At a glance: Japan

Newsline

Japan promotes Global Handwashing Day for better hygiene
TOKYO, Japan, 15 October 2009 – Today, millions of children and adults in over 80 countries are marking the second annual Global Handwashing Day with special events and activities. As part of this effort, the Japan Committee for UNICEF and its partners have launched a project to promote handwashing among children in Japan and around the world.

UNICEF and Japan celebrate a 60-year partnership
TOKYO, Japan, 7 October 2009 – UNICEF and the Government of Japan are celebrating a partnership that began 60 years ago this month, when a ship laden with powdered milk and other relief supplies from UNICEF arrived in post-war Japan.

Ann M. Veneman and Agnes Chan launch ‘Progress for Children’ in Tokyo
TOKYO, Japan, 6 October 2009 – UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, accompanied by UNICEF Japan Goodwill Ambassador Agnes Chan, released ‘Progress for Children: A Report Card on Child Protection’ at a press conference held at the Tokyo office of the Japan Committee for UNICEF today.

Japan’s new First Lady visits UNICEF for first public engagement
NEW YORK, USA, 23 September 2009 – First Lady of Japan Miyuki Hatoyama chose to visit UNICEF headquarters today as the site of her first public appearance since her husband, Yukio Hatoyama, was elected Prime Minister earlier this month.

Grant from the Government of Japan supports child survival in Nigeria
ABUJA, Nigeria, 19 August 2009 – UNICEF Nigeria has received 8.5 million dollars, from the Government of Japan, to support polio eradication, routine immunization and malaria prevention efforts.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Tetsuko Kuroyanagi celebrates 25 years of service
TOKYO, Japan, 20 May 2009 – With tributes, accolades and video messages from UNICEF’s leadership and a host of dignitaries, Goodwill Ambassador Tetsuko Kuroyanagi recently celebrated a quarter-century of dedicated service to UNICEF and the world’s children.

Japanese aid helps reduce child mortality and morbidity in DR Congo
KWILU-NGONGO, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 23 April 2009 – Like many other provinces in DR Congo, Bas-Congo province does not have enough kindergartens for children. Even where preschools exist, they charge fees that most parents cannot afford. Thus, many young children stay at home, often with older siblings or parents who otherwise could seek for employment.

Saying ‘No’ to child pornography in Japan
TOKYO, Japan, 18 November 2008 – Akihabara is one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist destinations. It is a neighbourhood known for its shops, specifically those that sell advanced electronic gadgets and appliances. But Akihabara is also becoming known for its DVD shops, many of which sell pornographic movies and magazines that depict the sexual exploitation of children.

Young ‘Peace Messengers’ from Yokohama donate $160,000 to support children
NEW YORK, USA, 10 November 2008 – During a meeting at UNICEF headquarters in New York this morning, Executive Director Ann M. Veneman thanked four children from Japan for their efforts to promote international peace. The Yokohama ‘Peace Messengers’, ranging in age from 11 to 15, raised approximately $160,000 for children’s causes in 2008.

Fond memories and clear challenges for 2008 J8 Summit delegates
CHITOSE, Japan, 28 July 2008 – For 39 young people who gathered in Chitose on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, earlier this month, the G8 meeting of world leaders was more than just a distant, high-level international event.

J8 delegates’ action plan grabs the attention of G8 leaders
CHITOSE CITY, Hokkaido, Japan. 8 July 2008 – After days of intense sessions, during which they debated and then drafted their ‘Chitose Declaration’ on issues of concern to the world’s children, 9 of the 39 Junior 8 Summit delegates here boarded a bus yesterday to go to the site of the G8 Summit of world leaders.

Junior 8 Summit delegates use online workspace to advance their viewpoints
CHITOSE CITY, Hokkaido, Japan, 6 July 2008 - Every evening after dinner they begin to congregate in the dimly lit lobby of the hotel. Small groups of teenagers sit with their laptops open, their faces tinted blue by the computer screens, typing busily as a collective ‘click-click’ fills the room.

Young delegates’ hopes are high as ‘Junior 8’ Summit opens in Japan
HOKKAIDO, Japan, 3 July 2008 – The Junior 8 Summit opened yesterday with thunderous performance by young local drummers at a traditional ceremony in Hokkaido, Japan. The meeting brings together a group of children and young people who promise to make an even bigger noise on the world stage.

Children and young people from developing nations prepare for Junior 8 Summit
CHITOSE CITY, Hokkaido, Japan, 1 July 2008 ­– On the eve of the opening of the 4th Junior 8 Summit, children and young people from seven non-G8 countries have gathered here to discuss the global issues that are most pressing to them and their communities.

Japan donates more than $8 million for child survival programmes in Nigeria
ABUJA, Nigeria, 23 June 2008 – On Friday, 20 June, the Government of Japan donated $8.04 million to UNICEF for child survival programmes in Nigeria. The grant is for polio eradication, routine immunization and malaria prevention.

Japan donation supports maternal health and child survival in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan, 10 June 2008 – Under a new agreement signed with UNICEF, the Government of Japan will provide $4.3 million to health programmes in Afghanistan. Approximately 7.5 million children will benefit from improvements in infectious disease prevention and control as a result of the funding.

Government of Japan donates $4.3 million for child survival in Angola
LUANDA, Angola, 10 June 2008 – At an official signing ceremony in Luanda last week, the Government of Japan made a major contribution to help UNICEF continue its work with the Government of Angola on preventing infectious diseases among children.

Religious leaders meet in Hiroshima to reaffirm their commitments to children
HIROSHIMA, Japan, 6 June 2008 – Over 1,300 religious leaders and UN officials from around the world recently participated in the Third Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) in Hiroshima, Japan. The forum focused on the role that religious and spiritual traditions can play in improving the lives of children.

‘The State of Africa’s Children’ calls for united action to boost child survival
YOKOHAMA, Japan, 28 May 2008 – UNICEF globally launched ‘The State of Africa’s Children 2008: Child Survival’ in Yokohama City, Japan, at the occasion of the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV).

Virtual ‘dialogue’ connects youths from Africa and Asia
TOKYO, Japan, 27 May 2008 – As a lead-up to the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), youths from Africa and Asia came together to share their perspectives on the theme of a ‘Vibrant Africa’ yesterday.

UNICEF highlights water and sanitation at G8 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo
TOKYO, Japan, 11 April 2008 – UNICEF had an unprecedented opportunity to address the G8 Development Ministers’ Meeting on Millennium Development Goals and human security issues, which concluded earlier this week in Tokyo.

Japan contributes a total of $109 million to benefit children in 25 countries
TOKYO, Japan, 2 April 2008 – In reaffirming its commitment to the world’s disadvantaged children, the Government of Japan has announced a $109 million donation to support UNICEF’s work around the world.

David Beckham urges children to use Junior 8 Summit to make their voices heard
LONDON, United Kingdom, 20 March 2008 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham has called on young people to take part in UNICEF’s Junior 8 Summit, a young person’s version of the annual G8 meeting of world leaders. Beckham called on 13- to 17-year-olds in G8 nations to enter the competition for a chance to represent their countries at the J8 Summit in Japan.

Key delegates gather in Tokyo as part of the International Year of Water and Sanitation
TOKYO, Japan, 26 February 2008 – As the International Year of Sanitation continues, Japan took the lead in efforts to scale up humanitarian interventions when key delegates met for a sanitation symposium held at United Nations University in Tokyo last Friday.

East Asian leaders commit to improving toilets and hygiene
BEPPU CITY, Japan, 3 December 2007 – More than 170 delegates from 14 East Asian nations gathered last weekend in Beppu City, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, for the first East Asia Ministerial Conference on Sanitation and Hygiene.

At announcement of Junior 8 Summit 2008 in Japan, an appeal for youth participation
TOKYO, Japan, 2 November 2007 – The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNICEF jointly announced today that Junior 8 Summit 2008 will take place in Chitose, on the island of Hokkaido – including the scenic Shikotsu Lake area – from 2 to 9 July 2008.

Internet documentary on Liberian refugee school wins UNICEF award at Japan Prize 2007
TOKYO, Japan, 31 October 2007 – 'Inspirations: A West African Story', a documentary about a school for Liberian refugee children in Ghana, has won a special UNICEF award at Japan Prize 2007, an international educational programme contest organized by NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation.

Young ‘Peace Messengers’ from Yokohama support UNICEF
NEW YORK, USA, 30 October 2007 – Four young ‘Peace Messengers’ from Japan’s second largest city today presented UNICEF with a cheque for 17.3 million yen, or about $150,000.

Japan supports promotion of bednets to prevent malaria in Ghana
GUOMONGO VILLAGE, Ghana, 10 September 2007 – Malaria remains the largest single killer of children in Ghana, taking a toll of approximately 20,000 child deaths every year. One in every four deaths of Ghanaian children under the age of five is due to the mosquito-borne disease.

In Japan, FC Barcelona raises AIDS awareness and support for children at risk
YOKOHAMA, Japan, 9 August 2007 – Thousands of FC Barcelona fans walked into Nissan Stadium earlier this week dressed in their team jerseys, eager to see football stars such as Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and the squad’s latest addition, Thierry Henry, in action.

Visitors see services provided to families displaced by conflict in northern Uganda
AMURU, Uganda, 14 May 2007 – Two high-level visitors, one a Korean celebrity and the other a Japanese Parliamentarian, recently travelled here to observe firsthand the situation of children and women affected by conflict in northern Uganda and to participate in a ‘Child Health Days’ campaign.

Yokohama ‘Peace Messengers’ bring their city’s goodwill to UNICEF and UN
NEW YORK, USA, 8 November 2006 – United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Rima Salah met with a youth delegation from Yokohoma, Japan at UN headquarters in New York yesterday.

Former UNICEF Executive Director receives humanitarian award in Japan
TOKYO, Japan, 6 November 2006 – Former UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy has been awarded Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Government of Japan.

Japan donation protects flood-affected children from malaria and polio
ADDIS ABABA, 29 August 2006 – UNICEF has received $4.7 from the Government of Japan for malaria control and polio eradication in Ethiopia.

UNICEF Executive Director urges world religious leaders to advance women’s rights
NEW YORK, USA, 28 August 2006 – UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman has appealed to the religions of the world to help advance the cause of women’s rights.

Japanese children speak up to fight AIDS
YOKOHAMA, Japan, 24 August 2006 – UNICEF youth activists issued an appeal at the AIDS Forum in Yokohama, an annual event promoting public awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention.

‘Religions for Peace’ Youth Assembly opens in Japan to promote non-violence
NEW YORK, USA, 21 August 2006 – More than 300 young religious leaders from countries around the globe have gathered in Japan this week to promote peace and reconciliation.

Japan donates $16 million to help prevent childhood diseases in four African nations
NEW YORK, USA, 4 August 2006 – The Government of Japan has announced a nearly $16 million donation to UNICEF, to help reduce child mortality and achieve Millennium Development Goals in four African countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and Sudan.

Youth take the stage at HIV/AIDS symposium
TOKYO, Japan, 1 June 2006 –The UNICEF symposium on HIV/AIDS, sponsored by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Yomiuri Shimbun News Paper, was held at Tokyo U-port theater on 23 May.

Japan and UNICEF reaffirm commitments to children during visit by Executive Director
TOKYO, Japan, 12 April 2006 – UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman visited Japan this week as an official guest of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirming the significance of the partnership between UNICEF and Japan to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals and promote the rights of children. The four-day visit featured high-level meetings with royalty, politicians, celebrities and children.

Japan donates $76 million to UNICEF for avian flu preparedness and peace-building
NEW YORK, USA, 29 March 2006 – Renewing its commitment to the world’s children, the Government of Japan has announced a $76 million donation to support UNICEF’s work.

UNICEF thanks Fuji TV for its longstanding support
NEW YORK, USA, 17 March 2006 – UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman today thanked Fuji TV, one of the biggest TV networks in Japan, for its consistent support of UNICEF’s work.

Poster contest in Tokyo raises awareness about HIV/AIDS
TOKYO, Japan, 13 March 2006 – Children have been largely invisible in the world’s response to HIV/AIDS, but a poster contest held in Tokyo has helped put them back in the picture.

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Japan Agnes Chan launches new album at UNICEF HQ in New York
NEW YORK, USA, 7 March 2006 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Japan Agnes Chan launched her new album ‘Forget Yourself’ with a live performance at UNICEF Headquarters in New York last night.

Japan donates $3.7 million to help eradicate polio in Egypt
CAIRO, 1 September 2005 – As Indonesia strives to contain a recent polio outbreak, Egypt is in the last stages of freeing itself from the disease, which once crippled thousands of children here every year.

Natsuno Shinagawa: Getting young people involved in today’s world
NEW YORK, 18 August 2005 – “In Japan, there are too many youth who are unaware of what’s happening around the world,” said eighteen-year-old Natsuno Shinagawa. “And I believe if young people become more involved with solving global problems, this world will be a better place,” added the high school senior, who lives in Tochigi, a city just outside Tokyo.

Japan contributes $4.7 million to create healthier lives for Afghan children
KABUL, Afghanistan, 6 July 2005 – In its latest humanitarian gesture to help children of Afghanistan lead healthier lives, Japan has contributed $4.7 million to be used for immunization projects across the country.

World renowned pianist Lang Lang gives a concert to honour UNICEF’s supporters in Japan
TOKYO, 26 May 2005 – Lang Lang, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and world renowned pianist, recently held a piano recital dedicated to the numerous Japanese citizens who have lent their support to UNICEF over the years.

Japan Committee for UNICEF celebrates 50 years
TOKYO, Japan, 1 May 2005 - Japanese youth and children sang and danced along with marching bands in the crowded streets of Tokyo to celebrate the Japan Committee for UNICEF’s 50th Anniversary.

Japan Committee’s Flag Project brings together messages from children across the globe
DAKAR, Senegal, 5 April 2005 – In Guédiawaye, a neighbourhood on the poverty-stricken outskirts of Dakar, pupils at the Ndiarème B Primary School are getting ready for a special project. They’re crowding around a white canvas flag - coloured pens in hand - ready to cover it with messages to children in Japan. Among them is a little girl in a pink shirt, brandishing a hot pink pen. Moving forward through the crowd, she writes in big block letters on the flag: “We thank UNICEF for giving us a future.”  Next to her a boy writes in red: “Put down weapons so that children can learn.”

Jackie Chan helps UNICEF Japan celebrate 50 years
TOKYO, 15 March 2005 - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and filmstar Jackie Chan along with Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Agnes Chan Miling recently made a special visit to Keiyou Primary School in Tokyo. The visit, which took place on 9 March, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Japan Committee for UNICEF and also provided a forum to thank the Japanese people for 50 years of support for children around the world.

UNICEF continues partnership with Japanese Government
NEW YORK, 2 March 2005 - UNICEF and the Government of Japan are developing a closer partnership in order to provide better humanitarian and development assistance, according to UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Toshiyuki Niwa.

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi raises another $1 million for UNICEF
TOKYO, 31 January 2005 – Renowned Japanese TV personality and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Tetsuko Kuroyanagi raised yet another $1 million in 2004 to help UNICEF in its work for the world’s children.

UNICEF thanks Japan for generous aid donation
NEW YORK, 12 January 2005 - The government of Japan has allocated seventy million dollars to UNICEF to assist in the tsunami relief effort. Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shuzen Tanigawa announced that his government would donate 250 million dollars to international aid organisations for immediate emergency relief. It is part of Japan’s total aid package of 500 million dollars to tsunami-hit countries.

Japan donates $3.5 million to bring water and sanitation to children in Darfur
TOKYO, 26 October 2004 – The Japanese government today made a donation of $3.5 million in response to the deepening crisis in the Darfur region. The donation will help mitigate the serious shortage of safe drinking water and improve sanitation facilities in camps for displaced people and in their host communities.

Japan donates $5 million to improve health and nutrition care for children in DPR Korea
TOKYO, 5 August 2004 – The Japanese Government has announced the donation of $5 million to support UNICEF’s work in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).