Japan
Support for Mine Action
Support for Mine Action
In 2011, Japan contributed ¥3,425,586,258 (US$42,981,007) in mine action funding.[1] The largest contribution went to Cambodia (more than ¥1.36 billion; US$17.1 million).[2] Japan also contributed over ¥1 billion (almost $12.8 million) to Afghanistan through the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS)’s Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF). The combined contributions to Cambodia and Afghanistan represented 69% of Japan’s total contribution in 2011. Five other countries (Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lao PDR, Sri Lanka, and Sudan) each received more than $1 million.
Japan contributed ¥4,111,404 ($51,586) to victim assistance in Croatia through the ITF Enhancing Human Security.[3]
All other contributions went towards clearance activities.
Contributions by recipient: 2011[4]
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (¥) |
Equivalent in US$ |
Cambodia |
Clearance |
1,363,803,048 |
17,111,707 |
Afghanistan |
Clearance |
1,016,745,333 |
12,757,156 |
DRC |
Clearance |
313,161,225 |
3,929,250 |
Sri Lanka |
Clearance |
176,340,634 |
2,212,555 |
Lao PDR |
Clearance |
171,025,759 |
2,145,869 |
Sudan |
Clearance |
134,356,268 |
1,685,775 |
Angola |
Clearance |
89,501,426 |
1,122,979 |
Mozambique |
Clearance |
55,040,103 |
690,591 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Clearance |
39,765,199 |
498,936 |
Croatia |
Clearance, victim assistance |
38,640,871 |
484,829 |
UNMAS |
Clearance |
12,217,452 |
153,293 |
Georgia |
Clearance |
9,316,372 |
116,893 |
Lebanon |
Clearance |
5,672,568 |
71,174 |
Totals |
|
3,425,586,258 |
42,981,007 |
Japan’s contribution in 2011 decreased by 17% in Yen from its contribution in 2010, but only by 9% in equivalent dollar terms. Since 2008, Japan’s contributions to mine action have decreased by 36% in Yen.
Summary of contributions: 2007–2011[5]
Year |
Amount (¥) |
Equivalent in US$ |
2011 |
3,425,586,258 |
42,981,007 |
2010 |
4,110,662,879 |
46,829,150 |
2009 |
4,502,340,000 |
48,060,850 |
2008 |
5,318,480,480 |
51,440,960 |
2007 |
4,175,698,717 |
35,459,400 |
Totals |
21,532,768,334 |
224,771,367 |
[1] Average exchange rate for 2011: ¥79.7 = US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2012.
[2] The contribution to Cambodia included ¥1,275 billion/$16 million for heavy and light demining machines, vehicles, detectors, tents, tools and equipment. The complete list included: eight brush cutters for excavation; 116 vehicles and spare parts; 492 mine detectors and spare parts; 86 tents; 117 GPS devices; 205 radio communication devices; and 27 generators (3k WA). CMAC, “Handover Ceremony of Demining Equipment, Phase 6,” 16 February 2012.
[3] Formerly the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance.
[4] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 12 May 2012; and UNMAS, “2011 Annual Report,” forthcoming, 2012.
[5] See previous editions of Landmine Monitor; and ICBL, “Country Profile: Japan: Support for Mine Action,” 29 July 2011, www.the-monitor.org. Average exchange rate for 2011: ¥79.7 = US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2012; for 2010: US$1=¥87.78; 2009:US$1=¥93.68; 2008: US$1=¥103.39; and 2007: US$1=¥117.76. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 6 January 2011.