The government aims to enhance Japan's assistance to developing countries to prevent and cope with infectious diseases, such as helping to foster human resources in the field.
In opposition to China's "mask diplomacy," which provides medical goods and equipment, the government aims to demonstrate Japanese-style assistance centering on the activities of Japanese people.
Under the plan, the government will offer such assistance as training to improve medical skills and public health systems, to local people in medical services and public health fields mainly in Asian and African countries.
Even when people's movements across national borders are limited due to the spread of infections, officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency and others stationed in developing countries will cooperate with non-governmental organizations and other entities to realize the visible assistance.
China has conducted mask diplomacy that provides masks, protective suits and other medical supplies without waiting for requests from recipient countries. Japan, on the other hand, aims to help recipient countries build their capabilities based on requests from those countries, so Japan will commit to mid- and long-term contributions.
The government has earmarked about 84 billion yen in the fiscal 2020 supplementary budget for such assistance activities for developing countries. That amount includes a 4 million euros (about 460 million yen) contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which helps conduct PCR tests for the new coronavirus in developing countries.
Originally, PCR tests used radioactive substances, so the IAEA provided technological assistance to developing countries.
The current PCR test system does not use radioactive substances, but the IAEA has continued its assistance and asked member countries to contribute funds.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
