Japan | Global Focus

Japan has been one of UNHCR’s largest donors and supporters for many years.

Japan has been one of UNHCR’s largest donors and supporters for many years. Historically, consistent funding from the people of Japan has allowed UNHCR to pursue its mandate, and their support of globally important initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the humanitarian-development-peace-nexus, has exemplified their status as a key supporter of refugees and displaced people. Japan’s dedication to supporting refugees can also be seen in the commitment of Japanese nationals to the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme and the dedication of former UNHCR High Commissioner, Madame Ogata. Most recently, Japan has played a role in the Global Compact on Refugees, paving the way for a future of strengthened cooperation and solidarity with refugees, displaced people, and affected host countries and communities.

Japan’s financial and political support to UNHCR has allowed for effective and efficient action to address acute humanitarian needs, both in emergencies and in protracted situations. Japan has actively promoted the humanitarian-development-peace-nexus as a solution for today’s complex humanitarian crises. Their support has come in the form of funding on both sides of the Nexus; supporting both UNHCR’s humanitarian projects, and development projects by other UN agencies and the Japanese development agency, JICA. Finally, Japan is a major driving force of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework and the Global Compact on Refugees.

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“I developed a kit to help them learn programming from home.”

Ehab, a Syrian refugee living in Jordan, runs a small company selling smart devices. Ehab was able to attend college and study computer science, supported with monthly financial instalments from UNHCR. Vocational training like this enables refugees to take control of their lives and plan for the future. Japan is an important donor to the Syria situation and refugee-hosting countries.

“People are strong. With a little support, they can go on with their lives.”

Yumiko Takashima is UNHCR’s Head of Office in Aleppo, Syria. Yumiko joined UNHCR 20 years ago and has worked in East Timor, Sudan, Thailand, Afghanistan, Kenya, Uganda, Iran, and Japan. Yumiko is one of many Japanese nationals dedicating their lives to supporting refugees and displaced people.

“I couldn’t sew before. I’m very happy to be part of this.”

Mushida has been learning how to embroider at a women’s centre in the Kutupalong refugee settlement in Bangladesh. The UNHCR program she participates in aims to promote self-reliance by training women in craft production, and enabling them to go on and sell their products in an established ethical lifestyle retail store. UNHCR’s response to the Rohingya crisis depends on funding from countries like Japan.

Japan is dedicated to supporting development across Africa, placing a strong emphasis on ensuring that refugees have the tools to become self-reliant.

Every three years, Japan co-hosts TICAD, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. Since the inception of TICAD, the Japanese government has involved UNHCR in the dialogue and together, solutions are proposed involving governments, civil society organizations, NGOs and the private sector about the issue of displacement in Africa.

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