Asahi Shimbun published an article that highlighted the substantial cuts to the Japanese government’s support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The article quoted a statement issued by JCIE, which operates the Friends of the Global Fund, Japan (FGFJ), the advocacy partner of the Global Fund. 

On November 25, the Japanese government announced a pledge of up to ¥81 billion to the Global Fund’s 8th replenishment. The amount equates to US$515.7 million, or a reduction of approximately 52%, from its previous pledge. JCIE’s statement of November 28 pointed out that while the cut was made in the context of Japan’s severe fiscal constraints and the weak yen, this significantly larger reduction in contributions compared with other major countries will undermine Japan’s long-standing credibility in international cooperation. The statement also emphasized that amid a global decline in aid funding, “It is essential for Japan to maintain its role as a major donor and shoulder its fair share in order to lead global health discussions at this crucial moment.”

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For more on Japan’s support for the creation and operations of the Global Fund, visit our FGFJ web page