The 62th World Health Assembly (19 May 2009)

1         Mr. President, Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan, honorable Ministers, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,



  On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to highly commend Dr. Chan for her outstanding leadership and to the WHO and the respective Member States for their coordination in addressing the current outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1).



2         I would also like to express my heartfelt sympathy and condolences for those who are infected and lost their lives, mainly in Mexico, as a result of spread of this new virus.  We have confirmed rapid infection spread over the past several days in Japan as well.  Accordingly, the Japanese government has established a response headquarters, headed by the Prime Minister, and is making every effort to tackle this challenge, recognizing that this is a matter of grave concern for national crisis management. We are starting active epidemiologic investigation in order to think out preventive measures against infection spread. We will adopt the more appropriate measures based on the investigation.



3         To cope with this global crisis, the WHO Secretariat and WHO Member States need to strengthen their coordination more than they have done to date.  Consequently, at the recently convened ASEAN + 3 Health Ministers’ Special Meeting on Influenza A (H1N1), I asserted the importance of the global coordination.



4         The current outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) is the first case for which “a public health emergency of international concern” was declared since the revised International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) came into effect in 2007.  In accordance with the IHR, the pertinent Member States have promptly reported information on the outbreak to the WHO.  In addition, through the sharing of virus samples with the WHO, assessment of the situation and development of vaccines are proceeding swiftly.  We are very much pleased to see that the WHO network is functioning well.



5         Countries and the international community have been taking actions to enhance the preparedness against a threat of pandemic avian influenza H5N1 since 2005.  We highly appreciate that such an effort has contributed to well responding to the current outbreak of influenza A (H1N1).  In this regard, along with other donor countries, Japan has provided assistance to the developing countries for their efforts on advancing preparedness.  We should continue our vigilance against the highly pathogenic avian flu H5N1.  In order to accurately assess the risk of pandemic and advance the development of vaccines, information on avian flu H5N1 cases and virus samples should be shared with the WHO.



6         Japan has repeatedly urged the importance of avoiding creation of geographical vacuums in public health network in response to health issues such as influenza.  From this perspective, we welcome and regard it opportune that Chinese Taipei attended at this WHO World Health Assembly as an observer for the first time.



7         Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. President,
We must not forget that besides influenza, the current global economic crisis is threatening human security and  greatly affecting the vulnerable people, not only in social and economic aspect, but also in the aspect of health.  To strive to health-related Millennium Development Goals, where there is a concern that they may not in fact be achieved, it is essential to take a comprehensive approach which addresses the fight against infectious diseases, care for maternal and child health and the health systems strengthening in a balanced manner.  Particularly in health systems strengthening, health workforce, health information/surveillance and health financing are crucial among others, to be strengthened along with research and development in a balanced manner.  With this point in mind, we are going to contribute actively to the deliverables in this World Health Assembly.



8         To conclude my statement, I would like to point out that the influenza A (H1N1) has an enormous impact not only on the health but also on the society and economy.   To deal with the mountain of health and other related issues, Japan is ready to enhance the cooperation with international community including the WHO.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.