Japan has consistently made significant contributions toward improving the problem of refugees internationally and may expand this role in the future, the U.N. Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees said in an interview March 13.
In Tokyo to participate in a symposium commemorating the 50th anniversary of U.N. Peacekeeping Operations and meet with government officials, Soren Jessen-Petersen spoke about Japan's contributions to the various challenges the UNHCR is facing today. "Japan is contributing overall to our activities throughout the world," Jessen-Petersen said, adding that these take the form of personnel, financial and political contributions. "Japan, as a member of the Security Council, has taken numerous initiatives supporting humanitarian activities around the world, making sure that there is a political will to resolve a conflict."
In his talks with the Japanese government, Jessen-Petersen discussed standby measures under consideration by Japan that would increase the spectrum of the nation's participation in humanitarian activities. "Among other things, we discussed the emergency standby arrangements that the government is setting up. They have helped UNHCR with the regional stockpiling of emergency items and they are also looking into the establishment of standby teams in the health sector that can be rushed into humanitarian emergencies."