Japan International Cooperation Agency [Wednesday, Oct 26, 2016]
Signing of Japanese ODA Loan Agreement with the Republic of the Philippines: Further strengthening the maritime safety capability of the Philippine Coast Guard
On October 26, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in Tokyo to provide a Japanese ODA loan of up to 16.455 billion yen for the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (Phase II).
The Philippines is an archipelagic state with more than 7,000 islands and the world’s fifth longest coastline (approximately 36,000 kilometers in length). Maritime transportation is therefore crucial to socioeconomic development in the country. There has been an increasing risk of maritime accidents in recent years due to: (i) an increase in inter-island passenger and freight transportation, (ii) the use of aging and overweight vessels, and other improper maritime operation, and (iii) a rise in natural disasters. In addition, with this increase in passenger and freight transportation, there has been a rising risk of maritime crime, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has developed cooperation relationships with Japan and other neighboring countries accordingly. This project will provide the PCG with financing to procure vessels, supporting an improvement in the maritime rescue operations and a faster response to maritime crimes.
The Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP)* will apply to the project in the agreement that was signed, and it is expected that Japanese shipbuilding technologies will be utilized.
JICA will continue to support the development of socioeconomic infrastructure in the Philippines by utilizing all types of assistance—technical cooperation, Japanese ODA loans and grant aid—to support nation-building in a way that all nationals can enjoy the benefits of the development.
* STEP is special assistance terms for promoting the visibility of Japanese aid through a transfer of outstanding Japanese technology and expertise to developing nations. The main contract is Japan tied and subcontracting is general untied. Although the main contract allows a joint venture with the borrowing country, a Japanese company must be the leading partner in such an arrangement.
Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/press/2013/131216_01.html)
JICA Efforts in Countries around the World: the Philippines (https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/index.html)
From left, Philippine Prime Minister Carlos G. Dominguez, Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, JICA President Shinichi Kitaoka and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attend a signing ceremony. 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016]
Revision of the Implementation Plans for International Peace Cooperation Assignment for United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan
1. Purpose
Japan has dispatched Headquarters staff personnel and Ground Self Defense Force engineering unit to UNMISS (United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan) since November 2011 and January 2012 respectively. Before UNMISS, Japan had dispatched staff personnel to Headquarters UNMIS (United Nations Mission in the Republic of Sudan) from October 2008 to September 2011.
South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 after the long civil war between the north and the south Sudan and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Five years have passed since its independence, and currently domestic political disorder is a great challenge to the nation-building of South Sudan. The Government of Japan recognizes that the peace and stability of South Sudan is important for the peace and stability of Africa, and that the international community needs to work cooperatively on this issue.
On 12 August 2016, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2304, which extended the mandate of UNMISS until 15 December 2016.
In relation to this, the Government of Japan decided to revise the Implementation Plans for International Peace Cooperation Assignments and extend its period as indicated below.
Laos and Ethiopia are to be added as possible transit points for transportation units of Japan Air Defense Force.
According to the International Peace Corporation Law Article 7 (i) and (ⅲ), the Prime Minister will report the contents pertaining to the revision and the status of implementation to the Diet.
2. Major Points of Revision are following
End of the extended Period
Current : 31 Oct 2016
After Revision : 31 Mar 2017 (5 months extension)
Laos and Ethiopia are to be added as possible transit points for transportation units of Japan Air Defense Force.