[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 127 (Friday, October 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10829-S10831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONS

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the contribution 
that one of America's closest and most important allies is making to 
our Nation's efforts to help the Iraqi people build a safe and stable 
democracy.
  In the very public discussions that we hear every day about Iraq we 
often do not hear about the extraordinary efforts of the United States' 
closest security ally in the Asia-Pacific Region. That ally is, of 
course, Japan. We are all aware of the limitations that Japan has 
imposed on its own military since World War II. What many of us are not 
aware of is the actions Japan has taken to work with the United States 
and other nations to bring peace and stability to Iraq.
  One document published by the Japanese Embassy outlines the 
deployment of Japanese Self-Defense Forces to provide humanitarian 
assistance in Iraq. Many Americans would be interested to learn that 
there are about 1,000 Japanese troops in Iraq, including almost 600 
ground troops. In addition, Japan has undertaken a very substantial 
humanitarian relief effort. Through the end of September, Japan's Air 
Self-Defense Force C-130 aircraft flew 66 missions between Kuwait and 
Iraq and delivered over 175 tons of relief supplies.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to print that paper and two 
others--one on Japan's very substantial financial assistance for Iraq 
and the other describing Japan's cultural assistance for Iraq--in the 
Congressional Record. Taken together, these papers demonstrate that one 
of America's most reliable security allies is truly dedicated to 
bringing stability and freedom to Iraq.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                Japan's Assistance for Iraq--Fact Sheet

                  (Note: All figures are approximate.)

     1. Overview
       At the International Donors' Conference on Reconstruction 
     of Iraq held in Madrid on 24 October 2003, Japan announced 
     its financial assistance package totaling up to $5 billion.
       The package comprises (a) $1.5 billion grants for the 
     immediate needs through 2004, and (b) up to $3.5 billion, 
     mainly in ODA loans, in order to meet the medium-term needs 
     for a period approximately through 2007.
       It's Japan's policy to make its financial assistance by ODA 
     and the humanitarian and reconstruction activities by the 
     Self-Defense Forces work in tandem for the reconstruction of 
     Iraq.
     2. $1.5 billion grant
       In the grant assistance, Japan gives priority to areas such 
     as power generation, education, water and sanitation, health 
     and employment, as well as others including improvement of 
     the security, culture, sports and capacity buildings.
       Out of $1.5 billion, more than $1150 million have already 
     been disbursed or decided as following:
       $180 million have already been disbursed. (Attachment A);
       $490 million have been committed to the International 
     Reconstruction Fund Facility

[[Page S10830]]

     for Iraq of the UNDG ($360 million) and the World Bank ($130 
     million). (Attachment B) $10 million have been disbursed into 
     IFC small business finance facility; and
       $470 million worth of bilateral projects have been 
     identified and decided including a new package of projects 
     totaling $290 million announced on 29 June (Attachment C).
     3. Up to $3.5 billion mainly through ODA loans
       Japan will provide up to $3.5 billion mainly through 
     concessionary loans (ODA loans) to meet the mid-term 
     reconstruction needs between 2005-2007, taking account of the 
     advancement of the political process, developments toward the 
     solution of outstanding debt issues and the improvement of 
     the security situation.
       With regard to areas of this assistance, in addition to 
     areas mentioned above, Japan will also focus on 
     infrastructure development, including telecommunications and 
     transportation.
     A. Japan's assistance disbursed so far ($180 million)
       (1) Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq (WFP, UNICEF, ICRC, 
     UNHCR).
       (2) Assistance through the international organizations for 
     the following projects:
       Umm Qasr Port Project (UNDP);
       Iraq Reconstruction and Employment Program m Baghdad 
     (UNDP);
       Rehabilitation of the National Dispatch Centre (UNDP);
       Emergency Rehabilitation of Al-Kadhimiya Hospital (UNDP);
       Emergency Rehabilitation of the Hartha Power Station 
     (UNDP);
       IREP2 in North and South of Iraq (UNDP);
       Reactivation of Primary Education in Iraq (UNICEF);
       School rehabilitation Project (UN-HABITAT);
       Community rehabilitation Project (UN-HABITAT);
       Contribution to the IFC Fund (assistance to Micro- and 
     small-scale enterpises).
       (3) Direct assistance to Iraq and Grassroots assistance for 
     the following projects:
       Provisions of 1,150 Police vehicles;
       Provision of 70 fire-trucks to Baghdad, Al Basra and Al-
     Mutharma;
       Humanitarian operation in the Umm Qasr Community;
       Equipment supply for Rashid District in Baghdad;
       Improving Hibatoallah Institute for Down Syndrome; and
       Provisions of ambulances in Nineveh Governorate.
       (4) Assistance in won with NGOs:
       Medical projects and emergency rehabilitation of public 
     facilities (Japanese NGO);
       Medical project in Baghdad run by Hashemite Charity 
     Organization (Jordanian NGO); and
       Project distributing medical equipment run by CARE 
     International (International NGO).
       (5) Assistance in Samawah and Governorate of Al-Muthanna, 
     where Japanese Self-Defense Forces are dispatched, for the 
     following projects:
       Provisions of Water Tanks;
       Provisions of Emergency Medical Supplies to the Samawa 
     General Hospital;
       Emergency Aid of medical equipment to the Samawa Maternity 
     and Children Hospital;
       Improvement of Access to Safe Drinking Water;
       School rehabilitation Project (UN-HABITAT);
       Iraq Reconstruction and Employment Program (UNDP);
       Provision of water treatment facilities; and
       Provision of medical equipment to the Al-Rumaytha and Al-
     Khidhur Hospitals.
       (6) Capacity building programs of JICA (Japan International 
     Cooperation Agency) as following:
       Vice-minister and other officials of the Ministry of 
     Health;
       Training of Iraqi doctors and nurses in Cairo as the Japan-
     Egypt Joint Medical Cooperation for Iraq;
       Training of Iraqi experts (ex. electricity) in Jordan;
       Director General of Governorate of Al-Muthannah Health 
     Department and Directors of Four Hospitals in Samawa and 
     Neighboring Areas.
       (7) Others:
       Humananitarian and Reconstruction Assistance by the 
     Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) in Samawah and Governorate 
     of Al-Muthanna;
       Consolidating broad based solidarity among the 
     international community;
       Cooperation with Arab and neighboring countries;
       Cooperation with Germany and France;
       Conservation of cultural heritage and promotion of sports 
     in Iraq; and
       Assistance for supplying Japanese TV program.
     B. Japan's assistance through International Reconstruction 
         Fund Facility for Iraq ($490 million)
       $450 million has been paid into the respective IRFFI 
     (International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq) holding 
     accounts of the UNDG Trust Fund ($360 million) and the World 
     Bank Trust Fund ($90 million). Additionally, $40 million will 
     be paid into WB TF in the near future.
       Japan has already authorized UNDG to use $260 million out 
     of $360 million for UNDG TF by signing the document, and will 
     authorize WB to use $40 million for WB TF in the near future 
     (totally $300 million).
       The relevant international organizations will start some 
     projects in the fields of electricity, transportation, 
     education, water resources, environment and so on by using 
     part of Japanese contribution.
     C. Japan's assistance through bilateral channel ($470 
         million)
       (1)) Following projects totaling $490 million was decided 
     on 26 March and 29 June:
       (i) Electricity: Provision of 27 mobile substations 
     throughout Iraq and rehabilitation of Taji Gas Turbine Power 
     Station, Mosul Gas Turbine Power Station and Mosul 
     Hydroelectric Power Station.
       (ii) Health: Rehabilitation and provision of equipment to 4 
     general hospitals in South (Nasiriyah, Najaf, Diwaniyah, and 
     Samawah) constructed by Japanese companies and rehabilitation 
     and provision of equipment to 4 general hospitals in North 
     (Kirkuk, Arbil, Mosul, Dabuk) constructed by Japanese 
     companies.
       (iii) Water/sanitation: Provision of 30 compact units to 
     the city of Baghdad, and provision of special vehicles for 
     garbage disposal and sewage cleaning throughout Iraq.
       (iv) Others: Provision of Armored vehicles in Baghdad and 
     Al-Muthanna.
                                  ____


               [From the Embassy of Japan, Oct. 4, 2004]

    Deployment of Japan Self-Defense Force To Provide Humanitarian 
                           Assistance in Iraq

       The total number of Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) 
     personnel participating in the effort for the reconstruction 
     of Iraq is approximately 1,000, including up to 600 Japanese 
     Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops, several Japan 
     Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) vessels and Japan Air 
     Self-Defense Force (ASDF) aircraft.
       The third contingent of GSDF was dispatched to Iraq on 
     August 8. These new forces represent Japan's firm commitment 
     to the hands-on reconstruction of Iraq.
       Japan's ASDF, with its C-130 aircraft, started to transport 
     humanitarian relief supplies between Kuwait and Iraq on March 
     3, 2004. During the period between March 3 and September 30, 
     over the course of 66 missions, the supplies carried amounted 
     to 175.6 tons.
                                  ____


                  Japan's Cultural Assistance for Iraq

       The Government of Japan (GOJ) is determined to offer the 
     most possible support to the continued tenacious efforts by 
     the Iraqi people, who still face very difficult 
     circumstances.
       It is important that the Iraqi people maintain hope and 
     improve their prospects for the future while tackling their 
     difficulties. Japan's assistance in the fields of culture and 
     sports is expected to provide moral support for the Iraqi 
     efforts to reconstruct their country. The rich history 
     represented by the cultural heritage in Iraq is a credit to 
     the country, and sports contribute to their solidarity.
       Cultural assistance may also serve to elicit more 
     understanding of Japan by diffusing soft images of Japan 
     (e.g. politeness, kindness) throughout Iraq.
       As can be seen from Japan's experience of reconstruction 
     after World War II, it is extremely important and pressing 
     for the future development of Iraq, to improve the quality of 
     education in order to nurture human resources.


                        Provision of TV Programs

       (1) Provision of ``Oshin'':
       ``Oshin'' is a TV drama depicting the life of a Japanese 
     woman who overcame poverty and difficulties before, during, 
     and after WWII. ``Oshin'' has been broadcast in 59 countries 
     and has been very popular in many countries, in particular in 
     Middle Eastern countries.
       In October 2003, the GOJ (the Japan Foundation), in 
     cooperation with Egyptian R & T.V Union, provided 96 episodes 
     (mainly about the woman's childhood) of ``Oshin'' with 
     subtitles in Arabic to the Iraqi Media Network (IMN) free of 
     charge.
       (2) Provision of other TV programs:
       In April, the Japan Foundation provided the TV program 
     ``Project X'' to the Lebanon-based Future Satellite TV. (It 
     is a satellite TV station with viewers primarily from Arabic 
     speaking countries including Iraq.)


                           Sports Assistance

       (1) Donation of football equipment by the Japan Football 
     Association (JFA):
       In November 2003, the JFA donated football equipment (1214 
     balls, 4853 uniforms, and 394 pairs of spiked shoes) to the 
     Iraq Football Association (IFA). The equipment was collected 
     from all over Japan on the initiative of the JFA.
       The GOJ provided transportation for the football equipment 
     to Baghdad (under the framework of Grant Assistance for 
     Cultural Grassroots Projects).
       (2) Provision of football equipment to the southern Iraq 
     including Samawah:
       The GOJ has decided to provide football equipment (1000 
     balls, 3000 game jackets, and 20 inflators) to the Department 
     of Youth and Sports in the Governorate of Al-Muthanna (under 
     the framework of Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots 
     Projects). Part of equipment provided by the Government was 
     transported from Kuwait to Samawah by C-130H of the Self-
     Defense Forces (SDF). The handover ceremony took place on May 
     23 at the SDF camp in Samawah. An exchange soccer match was 
     convened between three soccer clubs in Samawah and the SDF 
     team on June 10, using soccer balls provided.
       (3) Cooperation Relating to the International Friendly 
     Football Match between

[[Page S10831]]

     Japanese and Iraqi National Football Teams on February 12, 
     2004:
       The GOJ provided travel expenses for the Iraqi National 
     Team members through the Japan Foundation.
       The GOJ provided assistance for the Iraqi Media Network 
     (IMN) to conduct a live broadcast of the friendly football 
     match so that as many people in Iraq as possible could watch 
     the game. The GOJ also provided coverage assistance to the 
     Lebanon-based Future Satellite TV, which was visiting Japan 
     at the invitation of the MOFA.
       On February 12, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs 
     Aisawa held a ceremony to present footballs (the design of 
     the balls is same as that of the balls provided to southern 
     Iraq) to the Vice President of the Iraqi Football 
     Association, Mr. Ahmed Radhi, as a token of appreciation for 
     his visit.
       (4) Assistance involving Judo:
       The GOJ, in cooperation with the Kodokan Judo Institute, 
     invited the President of the Iraq Judo Federation (IJF) 
     Sameir S. al-Mousoy to visit Japan from February 22 to March 
     6 as a part of a sports exchange assistance program.
       Taking advantage of this opportunity, the GOJ decided to 
     provide the IJF with 50 blue judo uniforms for international 
     matches and transportation assistance for judo equipment (100 
     white judo uniforms and 2 sets of tatami mats for official 
     matches (approximately 200 mats)) donated by the All Japan 
     Judo Federation (AJJF) under the framework of Grant 
     Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects.
       On March 3, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Abe 
     held a ceremony to present the list of judo equipment donated 
     by the GOJ and AJJF to the President of IJF, Sameir S. al-
     Mousoy.
       (5) Assistance for athletes aiming to participate in 
     international competitions:
       The Government invited Chairman Ahmed al-Samarrai of the 
     National Olympic Committee of Iraq to Japan (April 13-17). 
     Chairman al-Samarrai paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister 
     Junichiro Koizumi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko 
     Kawaguchi, and exchanged opinions with the officials from the 
     Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the members of the Japanese 
     Olympic Committee on Japan's assistance for the Iraqi 
     athletes aiming to participate in international games such as 
     the Athens Olympics 2004. He then observed the training and 
     other facilities which will accept the Iraqi athletes.
       Trying to provide hope and solidarity towards 
     reconstruction among Iraqi nationals, Japan is considering 
     the provision of assistance for Iraqi athletes aiming to 
     participate in international games such as the Athens Olympic 
     Games in August 2004, the Pan-Arab Sports Games in September 
     2004, and the Asia Sports Games in 2006.


              Assistance Related to Culture and Education

       (1) Assistance to the Iraq National Museum:
       The assistance for the recovery of the restoration 
     laboratory of the Iraqi National Museum of Iraq (provision of 
     equipment, human resources development, and management of 
     facility) is being implemented based on an additional 
     contribution from the GOJ to the UNESCO/Japan Trust Fund. The 
     Japan Foundation invited Director General of the Iraqi 
     National Museum Donny George to Japan from March 30 to April 
     6. Mr. Donny George held several meetings with government 
     officials.
       (2) Provision of vehicles for protection of cultural 
     heritage, etc.:
       The GOJ has earmarked part of the contributions which it 
     provided to the UN Trust Fund to assist the reconstruction of 
     Iraq to be used in cultural projects of UNESCO and a project 
     to provide vehicles for protection of cultural heritage is 
     scheduled to be implemented.


                         Educational assistance

       The GOJ decided to contribute approximately $1 million 
     through the Japanese Fund-in-Trust for the capacity-building 
     of Human Resources in UNESCO to conduct research on the local 
     needs and to start emergency assistance (training of staff 
     members and launching of Web sites) for the Ministry of 
     Education of Iraq.
       The GOJ has appropriated part of the contributions it 
     provided to the UN Trust Fund to assist the reconstruction of 
     Iraq for educational projects of UNESCO, and projects such as 
     assistance for literacy education and capacity building of 
     educational personnel are scheduled to be implemented.


  Japan-French Cooperation on Sports and Cultural Assistance for Iraq

       In early February 2004, Special Advisor to Prime Minister 
     Junichiro Koizumi, Yukio Okamura visited France and agreed 
     with the French Government to pursue Franco-Japanese 
     cooperation on sports and cultural assistance for Iraq.
       After discussions at working levels, Japanese Foreign 
     Minister Kawaguchi and French Foreign Minister de Villepin 
     agreed to move forward on the following cooperative projects:
       Provision of support, inter alia, for the exhibition of 
     Iraq National Museum and rehabilitation of Iraq National 
     Library and Iraq National Archives.
       Provision of support for Iraqi athletes aiming to 
     participate in international competitions.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. I would like to join the Senator from Idaho in 
calling attention to the very significant contribution that Japan is 
making in Iraq. As a Senator from California, I am privileged to 
represent thousands of Japanese-Americans who I know will be proud and 
pleased to learn about Japan's critical role in Iraq.
  Beyond the impressive figures on force deployment, which the Senator 
from Idaho has so clearly outlined, it should be noted that Japan's 
financial commitment to Iraq, and to working closely with the United 
States in Iraq, is equally significant. At last year's Madrid 
International Donors Conference on Reconstruction of Iraq, Japan 
announced a financial assistance package totaling up to $5 billion. The 
package includes both $1.5 billion in grants and $3.5 billion in loans. 
In addition, Japan will host the Third Meeting of the Donors' Committee 
of the International Reconstruction Fund for Iraq this month.
  Japan has also made a very significant effort to provide cultural 
assistance for Iraq. One of the documents submitted by Senator Craig 
provides the details on this undertaking. I was especially struck by 
Japan's reference to its own experience of reconstruction after World 
War II and the need to ensure that the unifying forces, like those of a 
shared culture and athletic tradition, are nurtured to help the Iraqi 
people reestablish their own identity.
  It is also important to remember that Japan's commitment to Iraq was 
severely tested during a hostage crisis this year. Fortunately, that 
crisis was resolved favorably. Here's what Prime Minister Koizumi said 
on April 22 on that subject:

       This hostage taking has not undermined Japan's firm resolve 
     to engage in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in 
     Iraq. It is precisely because the situation in Iraq makes the 
     activities of ordinary individuals impossible that the Self-
     Defense Forces have been dispatched to engage in humanitarian 
     and reconstruction assistance in Iraq.

  Mr. President, these facts underscore the very important point made 
by the Senator from Idaho. The United States is fortunate to have Japan 
as a close ally. I yield to the Senator from Hawaii.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I want to commend the Senators from Idaho 
and California for their comments, and to associate myself with their 
discussion.
  The depth of my concern with the subject of Japan's cooperation with 
the U.S. on security matters goes very deep. I was privileged to have 
served my country during World War II, and I was as proud as any 
American with the victory we achieved over Japan. However, I am much 
more proud of the events that have occurred since that war--events that 
have changed two former enemies into the closest of allies.
  Mr. President, the post-war actions of these two former adversaries 
is one of history's most shining moments. America demanded and received 
Japan's unconditional surrender. America also insisted on compensation, 
and that was accomplished by the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty. Our 
country, however, also recognized that Japan is a great nation, and we 
dedicated ourselves to helping restore its place in the world. Thus, 
instead of the kind of ``armistice'' or ``cold peace'' settlement that 
only preserves hostility and resentment, both nations worked hard to 
transcend their recent past and build a true alliance.
  As Americans, we have seen this before. Our Nation's first enemy, 
Britain, is now one of our very closest allies. It is inspiring that 
Japan and the U.S. have accomplished a similar achievement and created 
a truly strong and lasting alliance. The facts that Senators Feinstein 
and Craig put before us only confirm how strong that alliance is.

                          ____________________