Government Donors

Japan

• © R. Paprzycki
• Himeji-jo, World Heritage Site

The promotion of educational, scientific, and cultural relations among nations is an important factor contributing to world peace and welfare. Japan is actively engaged in international cooperation in these areas, particularly through its participation in UNESCO activities.As one of the leading executive Board members, Japan has been supporting UNESCO’s initiatives with regard to the financial and administrative reform process.

In 2007, Japan’s voluntary contributions to UNESCO amounted to USD 11,349,733.

Priorities:
Japan is involved in the UNESCO activities through several funds-in-trust schemes. In particular, Japanese contribution focuses on the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, capacity building of human resources in developing countires, Education of Sustainable Development (ESD), Education for All (EFA), promotion of scientific research, etc.

Geographical focus:
Although Japan’s development cooperation focuses on Asian countries for historical, economic and geographical reasons, the efforts to extend assistance to other regions as well, notably Africa, continue to be pursued.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently assisting to finance the three following programmes:

• Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage - preservation of the archaeological sites of Angkor, Cambodia and conservation of Bamiyan, Afghanistan etc.
• Preservation and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage - for example the programs which are nominated as the Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity;
• Capacity-building of Human Resources - this large scale fund has been financing projects such as the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), preventive education for HIV/AIDS and teacher training projects in Sub Sahara African countries.

• Promotion of International Cooperation and Mutual Understanding;
• Education for Sustainable Development(ESD);
• Education for All (EFA);
• Preventive Education against HIV/AIDS;
• Promotion of Scientific Programmes for Sustainable Development;
• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission/Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific;
• Promotion of Effective Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education (ICT);

• Asia-Pacific Cooperation for the sustainable use of renewable natural resources in biosphere reserves and similarly managed areas
• Support program for reform of Algerian education system
• Conservation and restoration of Royal plaza, Bayon and Angkor Vat
• Community Learning Centres
• Strengthening and Expanding the Provision of HIV/AIDS Life Skills and Prevention Education in Pre-service Teacher Training Colleges in Four Asian Countries
  
• International Hydrological program