Japan commits to a lifesaving G8 agenda

Masahiko Koumura, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs

Credit: UN / Paulo Filgueiras

"Japan, as chair [of] the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, will play a leading role in the international community's discussions concerning water and sanitation."

At the United Nations University in Tokyo in February 2008, Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Masahiko Koumura, delivered a speech committing his Government to putting sanitation and water firmly on the G8 agenda.

WaterAid America's CEO & President, Patricia Dandonoli, commented, "The Japanese Government should be commended for bringing much needed focus to the water and sanitation crisis.  Inadequate water and sanitation provision results in the daily loss of 5,000 children's lives from easily prevented diseases, and traps vulnerable communities in poverty across the developing world. 

"As several East Asian nations have proved, investment in water and sanitation has the power to not only combat disease, but also boost productivity and economic growth."

Japan has been the world's largest donor in the sanitation and water sector since the 1990s. The challenge now is for the international aid system to follow Japan's lead and reform itself to deliver aid to this neglected, but vital, sector.

The evidence is clear: Investing in sanitation and water brings vast economic returns and provides the first step out of extreme poverty.

As Masahiko Koumura said, "Water and sanitation are closely related to other issues, such as poverty, health, education, and gender, on which progress is needed in order to achieve sustainable development. […] Behavioral change and developing clean and safe sanitation facilities are crucial for maternal and child health. […] The resolution of issues relating to water and sanitation will significantly contribute to the achievement of other Millennium Development Goals as well."

Download Mr Koumura's speech to read more about Japan's commitment to water and sanitation. ( PDF 37Kb)

Media inquiries: Please contact Jonathan Rich on 347-262-9115 or email him.

Notes to Editors

• WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.
• WaterAid's mission is to overcome poverty by enabling the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.
• 1.1 billion people or roughly one sixth of the world's population do not have access to safe water, and 2.6 billion people or two fifths of the world's population do not have access to adequate sanitation.
• 1.8 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. This amounts to around 5,000 deaths a day (WHO)
• WaterAid projects providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education cost just $30 per person