■□　Advocacy

28th April, 2006

Open Request to Prime Minister Koizumi from TCSF

His Excellency Junichiro KOIZUMI Prime Minister of Japan

Dear Prime Minister, I would be greatly honored to present TICAD Civil Society (TCSF) White Paper 2005 ‘Overcoming poverty and Inequity’, which is a first joint evaluation by Civil Societies in Africa and Japan on Japan’s policy to African people. TCSF is a non profit research and advocacy organization on Japan’s Policy towards Africa As a member of Japanese Civil Society, we heartily welcome your decision to visit two Sub-Saharan African countries, Ethiopia and Ghana, as a remarkable sign from Japanese government to give more priority to Africa in its political agenda that could provide better chance to consolidate the solidarity between African and Japanese people. Our first White Paper concludes that Japanese policy towards Africa should be selfless and people oriented. Japan should not serve its political tools, especially ODA, for its own economic, political or strategic interests. African people are courageously fighting for the poverty reduction, peace and democracy and Japanese people eagerly desire to support their fight. The ODA, humanitarian by definition, should not be served for the diplomatic or strategic games that have been injurious to African development. In the struggles of poverty, substantial increase of the contribution is strongly required for Japan, once the most important donor. The promotion of private commerce and investment is necessary but not enough for these struggles. The White Paper also suggests that the cooperation between Africa and Japan cannot succeed without participation of the Civil Society of both sides. This is one of the most important finding of our first White Paper based on the analysis of mitigated performance of Japanese cooperation on African continent.

We would like to request you to declare, as our prime minister, during your visitation the followings:

1.　To expresses clearly Japan’s political intention to set welfares of the people and poverty reduction in Africa as the primary goal of Japan’s Policy towards Africa, and not to seek for any economic and strategic interests against African people. To increase Japan’s ODA to the level of 0.7% of its Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015. 2.       To give highest priority to the people of Sub-Saharan African region in international cooperation and to increase the share of Sub-Saharan Africa to 35% of total Japanese ODA. To double its contribution to Africa for next three years, excluding the fund for the debt reduction, in order to fulfill Japan’s pledge in Gleneagles. 3.       To reform Japanese cooperation process in Africa into a participatory one based on equal partnership with civil society of Africa and Japan. To distribute 40% of cooperation fund for to the Civil Society.   To invite Civil Society of Africa and Japan whit African Union to participate Tokyo international Conference on African Development Ⅳ(TICAD Ⅳ), which will be held in 2008, as co-organizers. To establish “Africa-Japan Solidarity Fund” that integrates all categories of aid for Africa. The Fund will be managed jointly by governments and Civil Society Organizations of Africa and Japan

Mr. Prime Minister, Once you quoted this part of our constitution:

“We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression and intolerance for all time from the earth. We recognize that all peoples of the world have the right to live in the peace, free from fear and want.”

Following this sublime declaration, Japan’s mission in Sub-Saharan Africa should be humanitarian. We are convinced that your visit is a good opportunity to transfer to African people the message derived from our constitution and people’s will.,

Sincerely Yours,

Minoru OBAYASHI President of TICAD Civil Society Forum (TCSF)