[Prime Minister's Office and His Cabinet] [Tuesday, Nov 11, 2014]
Japan’s contribution to international efforts to halt the Ebola outbreak
"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. [ ... ] "
(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:
1. Financial Assistance
- Japan has provided over US$45 million in total.
- Additionally, on November 7, the Government of Japan has announced to extend additional assistance up to US$100 million.
2. Personnel Contribution
- Japanese medical experts have participated in WHO missions on six separate occasions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
- Japanese medical experts (currently 35 experts) are ready to participate in WHO missions. Two experts have departed for Sierra Leone on 20 October. Four more experts are going to participate in WHO missions in the affected countries in November.
- Japan has also dispatched Self-Defense Force personnel to the headquarters of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Germany to support liaison activities.
3. In kind Contribution
- Japan has provided US$920,000 worth of emergency relief goods, such as tents and blankets, to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
-Around 500,000 sets of personal protective equipment donated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government are to be provided to the affected countries, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
- A total of 13 vehicles including ambulances and 95 beds donated by local governments and private companies in Japan have been shipped to Sierra Leone and Liberia in October.
4. Possible Further Assistance
A Japanese pharmaceutical company has developed a drug called Avigan® Tablet which could be effective against Ebola virus disease. The drug has already been used for several evacuated patients as an emergency treatment. The Japanese manufacturer is going to provide the drug for free for clinical trials to be conducted by the Government of Guinea and other parties. The Government of Japan is willing to provide the drug for large-scale clinical use on request, on the condition that trials have confirmed efficiency and safety for Ebola patients.
[Japan International Cooperation Agency] [Wednesday, Nov 12, 2014]
JICA to Send Additional Experts in Response to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
Following a decision by the Government of Japan, JICA will dispatch four additional experts in response to the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa.
The experts will be sent to Liberia and Sierra Leone through the World Health Organization, and will leave Japan to visit each destination in turn.
The Government of Japan is continuing its talks with the WHO with regard to dispatching Japanese experts to Ebola-affected countries. JICA plans to send experts to such countries at the decision of the Government of Japan.