Japan Calls for More Engagement in Global Health toward G8 and TICAD IV (JOICFP eNEWS December, 2007 ) On 25 th November 2007, Masahiko Koumura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered a speech in Tokyo, “Global Health and Japan's Policy - From Okinawa to Toyako,�Eannouncing that ‘Japan will take up and call for a stronger engagement of the international community in Global Health' at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) and the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. ( pdf ) This was a significant development in that it was the first official speech made by the Government of Japan on its policy towards Global Health for TICAD IV and the G8 Summit and that Japan officially stated taking up “Global Health�Eas an agenda , along with Climate Change and Africa, at the next G8 Summit. >>More

Announcement: - New JICA Workshop on Safer Motherhood (JOICFP eNEWS December, 2007 ) Despite efforts over the last 20 years, maternal mortality rates have (not improved as expected) little changed in developing countries, being as high as one woman in six in some countries. JICA and JOICFP are now considering applications from participants for a new workshop to be conducted by JOICFP, "Workshop on Safer Motherhood Strategy for Asia," to be held in February 2008 in Tokyo. >>More