JapanGov Weekly

[Cabinet Secretariat] [Tuesday, Oct 28, 2014]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting of relevant Cabinet members on responses to the Ebola virus disease, at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, reports and other discussions took place on responses to the Ebola virus disease.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“Infections of the Ebola virus disease continue to increase in West Africa, and cases understood to be secondary infections from people returning from West Africa have also been confirmed in Spain and the United States. We are facing a grave situation internationally.
The Government is moving ahead with measures to provide personnel and physical assistance to international responses and is carrying out domestic responses. At the same time, we recently decided to establish this meeting of relevant Cabinet members to ensure that the crisis response is thorough, and that the Government works as one.
In this context, yesterday a suspected Ebola virus disease case surfaced at a quarantine station at Haneda Airport, prompting the Government to take emergency responses, with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare taking the lead. At the present point in time no infection has been confirmed, but we were again made aware of the importance of advance preparations, including quarantine stations and other such border controls.
I would like the relevant Cabinet members, including the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, to display strong leadership and work closely with the relevant organizations to take every step possible to ensure quarantining is thorough, rapid initial examinations occur, secondary infections are prevented and the medical care system is secure. Furthermore, I would like you to make an all-out effort to provide information to citizens promptly and accurately, and ensure citizens’ peace of mind and security.”

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (1) Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (2)

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Thursday, Sep 25, 2014]

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to convey my heartfelt condolences to those whose precious lives have been claimed by the Ebola virus disease.

I have just listened to remarks by the African leaders. I appreciate the significant contribution made by them. I recall my recent visit to Cote d'Ivoire earlier this year. On that occasion I discussed, together with H.E. President Ouattara, H.E. President Sirleaf of Liberia and H.E. President Koroma of Sierra Leone, further development of the region.

And this is only half a year ago.

Now I am shocked by the current Ebola outbreak that has mercilessly hit Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and is consequently threatening their economies and stability.

My heart breaks to hear that many of the victims are women who were taking care of infected patients.

I would like to express my sincere admiration and respect for all those who are confronting the Ebola outbreak on the ground with determination. We must reward their courage.

We must stop this outbreak any way we can. Japan is determined to put forth its best in the fight against the Ebola virus disease.

Based on the concept of "human security," Japan has been taking the initiative on assistance on health issues in Africa. Last year at TICAD V (the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development) Japan announced it would set aside $500 million for these issues, and we have been steadily implementing this commitment. We have also launched training programs for some 120,000 health and medical service providers.

Since the beginning of the Ebola outbreak, we have quickly responded with a series of assistance. Japanese medical experts have been sent to the region on four separate occasions. We also announced that we are ready to share a promising potential drug developed by a Japanese company, which could be effective in the post-exposure phase of Ebola.

I hereby give full support to the initiative of H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, U.N. Secretary-General, for establishing the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response(UNMEER). I also pledge to extend additional assistance totaling $40 million in order to reinforce the measures already announced. In addition, we are considering providing additional personal protective equipment as well as vehicles and sending additional medical staff.

Just as indicated in the U.N. Security Council Resolution, this crisis is an imminent challenge relating to international peace and security.

There is no prosperity of the world without the prosperity of Africa.

Japan is more than ever determined to move forward side by side with Africa.

[Cabinet Secretariat] [Thursday, Oct 23, 2014]

"We must stop this outbreak any way we can. Japan is determined to put forth its best in the fight against the Ebola virus disease. [ ... ] I also pledge to extend additional assistance totaling $40 million in order to reinforce the measures already announced."
(Remarks by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the United Nations High-level Meeting on the Response to the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak, September 25, 2014)

Working alongside the international community, Japan is making every effort in the fight against the Ebola virus, including the following actions:

Financial Assistance
Japan has pledged a total of over $45 million, of which approximately $28 million has been allocated.

Personnel
- Four Japanese medical experts have been sent to the region via the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the Ebola outbreak in West African countries. Additionally, Japan has decided to dispatch further two experts.
- Japan has also dispatched Self-Defense Force personnel to the headquarters of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Germany to support liaison activities.

Material Aid
- Japan has provided $920,000 worth of emergency relief goods, including tents and blankets, to the Republic of Liberia, the Republic of Guinea and the Republic of Sierra Leone.
- 500,000 sets of personal protective equipment have been provided by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Liberia, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Possible further assistance
Japan announced its willingness to share a promising anti-Ebola drug, being developed by a Japanese manufacturer, which could be effective in managing the phase post-exposure to Ebola. The drug has already been used for several evacuated patients as an emergency treatment.