Statement by Mr. Kouhei Otsuka
Senior Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan
At the 64th World Health Assembly

Geneva

17 May 2011

1. President Dr. Christos Patsalides, Director General Dr. Chan, distinguished Representatives, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to highly commend Dr. Chan and the WHO for their outstanding leadership in global health. I would also like to appreciate Presidential　and Director General’s address on disaster in Japan yesterday.

2. On March 11th, Japan suffered a disastrous earthquake of magnitude 9.0 and a tsunami. Then, the earthquake and tsunami led to the serious Accident of the Nuclear Power Plant. As the damage of these disasters, approximately 25,000 people lost their lives or are still missing. More than 110,000 are still staying at evacuation centres, and about 60,000 houses and buildings were totally destroyed. It was enormously destructive. Meanwhile, the number of deaths due to the accident Nuclear Plant is zero. However, people near the plant have had to evacuate due to the Accident.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the governments of many nations, international organizations and people from all over the world for their heartfelt sympathy and encouragement, physical and material support, and contributions to the people of Japan who are suffering from this unprecedented disaster. At the same time, although it was attributable to the natural disaster- tsunami, Japan, as a member of the international community, apologizes for the large releases of radioactive material into the air and sea that resulted from the nuclear power plant accident.

3. About the Accident at the Nuclear facilities at the Fukushima power plant caused by this disaster, Japan is sharing information with the WHO in accordance with the IHR (International Health Regulation) in addition to reporting to the IAEA. During this Assembly, today we will be explaining the details about the Public Health Risks and measures which Japan has been taking at the Technical Briefing on radiation and public health. Japan continues to make every effort to provide information immediately and accurately to the international community. Consequently Japan would like to request member states and related organizations to take appropriate measures based on scientific evidence and to collaborate with Japan.

4. Chair,
Making progress toward achieving MDGs, including the reduction of mortality among infants and pregnant women, is important. To this end Prime Minister Kan announced concrete health promises as the 'Kan Commitment' at the High-level Plenary Meeting of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly on the Millennium Development Goals last September, which contains new policy aiming to achieve the MDGs through sustainable health system strengthening. Additionally, this coming June, an international conference to follow up on this high-level plenary meeting is scheduled in Tokyo. Japan would like to continue to support emphasis on maternal and child health, and measures against infectious diseases

5. In addition to taking measures against infectious diseases such as controlling three major infectious diseases, and expanding immunization, the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, stroke and myocardial infarction, is becoming an important agenda item. Sharing experiences on NCDs among member states is important.
An International Ministerial Conference was held last month organized and hosted by the Russian government and the WHO, I expect that the outcomes of the conference will pass to the UN General Assembly this September, and that measures in each state will be strengthened. In Japan, various stakeholders together are taking comprehensive activities for health promotion; stakeholders include government, administrative organizations, private companies, education sector, local communities and so on. Therefore, we would like to continue to share our experiences, information and skills actively with member states.

6. Chair,
In recent years, in a situation in which the health agenda is becoming more complex, it is necessary to strengthen the entire health system, including strengthening the human resources for health. It should go beyond dealing with individual diseases and specific areas. It is also necessary for member states, international organizations and other stakeholders to work together. In this situation, the roles and responsibilities of the WHO will be greater. In order for the WHO to accomplish its role effectively and efficiently, we look forward to the WHO reforms led by Director General Dr. Chan. Japan will continue to bolster our efforts in supporting the WHO in order for the WHO to contribute to the people of the world and public health.

Thank you for your kind attention.

(END)