Sumie Ishii, Managing Director, JOICFP discusses the acute health needs that women faced, and continue to face, following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

PDF
http://pacifichealthsummit.org/downloads/MNH/Relief_Efforts_in_Japan_One_Year_Later.PDF

MODE for Charity was initiated in 2010 to promote the White Ribbon campaign, a campaign to raise awareness of the situation of pregnant women in developing countries and to provide support for mothers and babies all around the world by showcasing fashion and holding entertaining events.

In addition to continuing to support pregnant women in Africa, in 2011, MODE for Charity has worked to help pregnant women affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Events have been organized to raise awareness about and gain support for the project, including the following:

Talk Session and Live Acoustic Show (in Japanese only)
December 10 (Sat.) 3-5pm
Venue: La Foret Museum Harajuku (6F)
Talk Session: Model Ai Tominaga and architect Mikiko Endo
Live Music: Anna Tsuchiya, Hitomi and more
Mother’s Chat Session: Ai Tominaga, Anna Tsuchiya, Hiroko Omichi (representing mothers in earthquake disaster area) and JOICFP staff discuss what mothers can do to help
**Reservation required due to limited seating. Contact JOICFP for tickets (3,500-4,000 yen, with proceeds divided evenly towards JOICFP’s projects in the Japan disaster zone and in developing countries)

Mother’s Party for Mothers (Charity Gala)
December 19 (Mon.) 4-6pm
Venue: Iwasaki Koyata Memorial Hall, International House of Japan
** Contact JOICFP for tickets (15,000 yen)

About the White Ribbon Alliance
The White Ribbon campaign is a global grassroots movement to protect the lives and health of pregnant women. The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood (WRA) was established in 1999 and is comprised of groups and individuals in 148 countries working towards a world where all expectant mothers can go through pregnancy and childbirth safely. The white ribbon can symbolize mourning, or hope and life. It is thus dedicated to the memory of all women who have died needlessly in pregnancy and childbirth, and also symbolizes hope for a better future.

Helping expectant mothers in Tanzania
In Tanzania, women risk their lives to give birth: the risk of dying while pregnant or in childbirth is one in 23. Contributing factors include giving birth in unsanitary conditions without the presence of experts, as well as the lack of postnatal care. In the Shinyanga Region in particular, a recipient of MODE for Charity 2011’s support, there is a lack of knowledge about pregnancy and childbirth among the community, as well as not enough family planning information and services. MODE for Charity 2011 aims to raise 5 million yen to contribute towards building a maternal and child health wing at a medical clinic, among other projects.

Helping women and expectant mothers affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake
JOICFP has been helping women and pregnant mothers, and newborns, mostly in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, as well as affected areas in Ibaraki prefecture. The situation in these areas is constantly changing, and various needs have emerged, including the need to provide emergency supplies for women, expectant mothers and babies, to support midwives working there, to provide family planning services, to provide relief money to expectant mothers, to provide materials needed for medical check-ups offered by municipalities, and to run programs to bring smiles to the faces of the women there. MODE for Charity 2011 aims to raise 5 million yen to provide expectant mothers in the disaster area with relief money (50,000/person for 100 expectant mothers).

JOICFP began distributing the funds on July 1, 2011. As of November 12, 2,004 women have received an amount of 50,000 yen each (207 in Iwate, 1,147 in Miyagi, and 650 in Fukushima). Among these, 724 had lost their homes completely, 898 had homes that were partially destroyed, and 381 had been living within the 20-kilometer range of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.

Births among beneficiaries during this period are as follow:
March 249
April 270
May 280
June 295
July 288
August 263
September 207
October 148
November 4

JOICFP has received many messages expressing gratitude for the timeliness of this initiative in helping women in the disaster zone. We hope for your continued support.

Read more about KESHO

Reflecting on a world of 70 billion people

According to the UN World Population Prospects (2010), the world population reached 70 billion on October 31, 2011. In the lead up to this, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Tokyo Office, Japanese Council on Population, and JOICFP held a public symposium entitled “7 Billion People | 7 Billion Actions” on October 27 at United Nations University in Tokyo.
The event also received cooperation from the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA), NPO 2050, Nihon University’s Population Research Institute, the Asian Urban Information Center of Kobe, and Japan Family Planning Association Inc.

So how should we understand this world of now 70 billion people? The symposium saw the gathering of 120 participants to look at population issues afresh, bearing in mind this new number.

In 1987, the world population stood at 50 billion, increasing to 60 billion in 1999, and 12 years later today, there are 10 billion more. If it continues at this rate, the UN Population Division estimates the number reaching 80 billion in 2025 and 100 billion in 2083.

Population phenomena vary with country and region (Japan, for example, has had a declining population since 2005, with a low birth rate and rapidly aging population), but the world population is growing steadily.

As we think about the future of humankind on this planet with finite resources, it is crucial to address population issues. This symposium was an attempt to probe more deeply into such issues and come up with actions we can take to address them.
The symposium began with an opening speech by Junko Sazaki, incoming head of the UNFPA Tokyo Office (appointed from November 1). She expressed the strong commitment of the UNFPA in dealing with the task at hand.

Ms. Sazaki

Dr. Makoto Atoh of Waseda University’s Faculty of Human Sciences then explained the UNFPA’s 2011 State of World Population Report, “People and Possibilities in a World of 7 Billion,” praising it as well-balanced in analyzing and discussing both macro and micro perspectives – dealing with food supplies, natural resources and energy, as well as development, poverty and investing in women and youth. Atoh pointed out that although it was important and timely for the perspective of women to be emphasized at the 1994 Cairo Conference (UN International Conference on Population and Development), this must not be the only focus in dealing with population issues, and that macro perspectives are also important.

Dr. Atoh

The discussion session used the theme “7 Billion People | 7 Billion Actions” to reflect on what each individual should and can do to make a difference. Mitsuhiro Yokoyama (Head of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Tokyo Office) raised long-term responsibilities and suggested effective agricultural investment. Masahiro Sugiyama (Chief Researcher at Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry’s Socio-Economic Research Center) provided various analyses from the perspective of climate change and energy policy, emphasizing the need for further innovation in energy solutions.

Mr. Yokoyama

Mr. Sugiyama

Tokutaro Hiramoto (Vice-Chief Consultant at Nomura Research Institute) suggested building a BoP (“Base of the Pyramid”) business model for the poor, numbering 40 billion. HASUNA CEO Natsuko Shiraki commented, based on her experience launching a fair trade jewelry business, that there must be more we can do to make a difference. To this end, she encouraged people to participate more in the various actions being implemented.

Mr. Hiramoto

Ms. Shiraki

Kyoko Ikegami, head of the UNFPA Tokyo Office, coordinated the discussion smoothly to create a participatory symposium where all 120 people in attendance were able to present action declarations and think about contributing towards a solution.

Ms. Ikegami

These declarations will be published on the UNFPA Tokyo Office website in the near future.

Yasushi Akashi, chair of the Japanese Council on Population and former UN under secretary-general then summed up the points raised in the symposium. He stressed that it was important to deepen awareness of the important role Japan has to play in international society, and also expressed hope that Japan will demonstrate more leadership in the future, strongly warning against any further ODA reduction.

Mｒ. Akashi

The symposium was brought to an end with Ikegami’s call for participants to disseminate the ideas for action that had been generated.

Symposium participants presenting ideas for action as part of the 7 Billion Actions movement

As we commemorate reaching a population of 70 billion, we should take this opportunity to remember that we are all aboard Spaceship Earth together and can each play a part in guiding it into future.

JOICFP has also accepted a generous donation of 10 million yen from Spanish luxury clothing and accessories brand Loewe, which is based in Madrid and has a history dating back to 1846. Loewe CEO Lisa Montague presented the donation to JOICFP Executive Director Sumie Ishii in Tokyo on September 28, 2011.

JOICFP would like to thank JAA and LOEWE for their generous contributions, which will be used to help women and expectant mothers affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

About 17,000 people attended the event, and the hall was packed with parents pushing strollers and carrying babies. There were many activities for parents and children to enjoy together, including commemorative photos taken with the ever-popular mascots Tama (egg) and Hiyo (chick), baby crawling races, corporate booths introducing various goods and services, and a concert by singer/actress Hanako Oshima, who is a supporter of JOICFP’s work.

JOICFP would like to thank everyone who dropped by to show their support!

Dear Sir and Madam,

By the Act on Authorization of Public Interest Incorporated Associations and Public Interest Incorporated Foundations, JOICFP has been newly registered as a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation as of September 1, 2011 under the auspices of the Cabinet Office of Japanese Government, with auspices transferred from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

In this regard, I have the pleasure to inform all of you that the following members have been approved as new executive officers by the JOICFP Board Meeting and Board of Trustees:

Mr. Yasuo Kon, Chairperson
Ms. Sumie Ishii, Managing Director
Mr. Ryoichi Suzuki, Executive Director
Mr. Hideyuki Takahashi, Operating Director

We are very pleased to continue working with all of the concerned organizations, agencies and individuals for enabling people in the world to make their own choices regarding reproductive health and rights by ensuring access to quality services and comprehensive information.

We cordially request your continuous support and cooperation for JOICFP.

Yours sincerely,

Yasuo Kon
Chairperson

We are pleased to announce that JOICFP will be organizing training for program and creative/technical personnel working in the field of communication for sexual and reproductive health. The training is first for the course titled “JOICFP C4D Ways: Technical Capacity Building Course” and will be organized in Tokyo, Japan from November 21 (Monday) to 25 (Friday), 2011. This year the training places its focus on enhancing communication for reaching young people in diversified conditions for sexual and reproductive health. The outline is as follows:

Theme

Enhancing communication for reaching young people in diversified conditions for sexual and reproductive health

Dates

November 21 (Monday) – 25 (Friday), 2011 (5 days)

Venue

JOICFP Seminar Room, Tokyo, Japan

Participants

The training is intended for both program and creative/technical officers in-charge of youth and/or health communication programs

Number

Minimum 10 participants – Maximum 25 participants

Training Fee

US$1,250 per person *Excluding international & domestic travel cost and living expenses

Through this training, the participants will acquire techniques and skills for logical communication strategy development, evidence-based planning of media tools development, strategic multiple media tools production, and monitoring and evaluation of communication interventions to strengthen communication interventions for young people.

For application, Please download the registration form. (PDF File752KB)

The closing date of the registration is October 7 (Friday), 2011. (Word File 66KB)

Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP)is an international NGO working to protect the lives and health of expectant mothers and women in developing countries, but since the earthquake disaster in Japan on March 11, 2011, the organization has expanded its mission to help such women all around the world. That is, JOICFP has since been working to also protect the lives and health of expectant mothers and women within Japan itself.

JOICFP began raising funds in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, and, as of May 31, 2011, collected approximately 40 million yen in donations from both local and international sources, including its partner organizations and counterpart staff in the developing countries where it has projects.

“Kesho” means “tomorrow” in Swahili, and the fund was named this way in the hope that tomorrow will be a better day for the women who benefit from it, as well as for the children about to be born. Target beneficiaries of the program are women who have given birth/are giving birth between March 1 and December 31, 2011 and had residence certificates in the affected prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima at the time of the earthquake, and whose homes were completely or partly destroyed, or whose residential district within 20 kilometers of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant has been blocked off by authorities.

JOICFP has established a fund distribution system based on the premise that it should not create more work for the already overburdened government officials, through a process that is transparent and fair, and whereby funds are distributed directly to the beneficiaries.

Together with some corporate donations, JOICFP began distributing the funds on July 1, 2011. In the first month of distribution, 209 women received 50,000 yen each, with 43 in Iwate, 67 in Miyagi, and 99 in Fukushima. Of these, 94 had lost their homes completely, 46 had homes that were partially destroyed, and 69 had been living within the 20-kilometer range of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.

During the month of July, JOICFP prioritized publicizing the fund’s existence, taking 646 inquiries about it via 236 emails and 410 telephone calls. JOICFP is accepting applications until February 29, 2012, and although funds are limited, will strive to provide what it can up until the end of this period.

The exhibition featured photographs of Tominaga, most for sale via silent auction with all proceeds donated to JOICFP, as well as an introduction to JOICFP’s work and her role as JOICFP Ambassador. On the main wall was a giant picture of a cherry blossom tree, which upon closer examination proved to be a composite of thousands of photographs of cherry blossoms.

Tominaga explained: “I launched <#sakuramovement> on Twitter in the wake of the unprecedented disaster. Cherry blossoms are a symbol of rebirth and recovery. People around the country posted photographs of cherry blossoms in the hope that those affected by the disaster would be able to enjoy their bloom as soon as possible. We must now work together and cooperate as Japan enters a new phase. We must believe in ourselves and live strong. Just as the cherry blossom trees bloom after making it through the tough winter, I believe we can together cultivate a power to go on. It is with this conviction that I present this exhibit with photographers Leslie Kee, Mika Ninagawa and TISCH.” 0ver 25,200 photographs of cherry blossoms were posted at <#sakuramovement>. As with other prints at the exhibition, all proceeds from sales of the composite print are donated to JOICFP.

At the talk show on July 2, 2011, Tominaga, together with photographer Leslie Kee and JOICFP’s Michiyo Ono, spoke about the experience of visiting areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. “I spoke to many pregnant women and mothers with small children and they really are doing their best to cope,” said Tominaga. “I talked to one pregnant woman with three-year old twins living in a shelter… it’s really very difficult for them.” Ono explained that in addition to supporting maternal health in developing countries, JOICFP has been working with local bodies to support pregnant women affected by the earthquake.

Ai Tominaga is a prominent international model who has garnered support for her independent lifestyle as model, woman, and mother. She has received many awards, including FEC Model of the Year. Tominaga became JOICFP Ambassador in January 2011, but has been involved with the organization for several years, joining a JOICFP trip to Zambia in November 2010, for example. Since then, she has been advocating the importance of redressing the severe poverty she witnessed there. In April 2010, she appeared in the Mode for Charity fashion show, a high-profile charity event she serves as Goodwill Ambassador for.

Tominaga has worked with JOICFP for the past two years and credits the experience for changing her way of thinking: “Visiting Zambia and the earthquake-affected areas has taught me the meaning of life, the importance of life. I encourage others to learn more about JOICFP’s activities helping pregnant women and mothers.”