Presentation                                                                                          4 March 2002, Bangkok
Summary

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor for me to have an opportunity to introduce Japan?s commitment in assistance to landmine problems. I would first like to briefly explain the outline of Japan?s measures. This will be followed by Professor Nonami?s presentation of the technology related to landmine detection and clearance, currently under development in Japan. 

For a world free from human sufferings from mines

Japan recognizes the universal clearance of mines and unexploded ordnance is one of the areas where it should make substantial contributions. Japan is determined to mobilize all the resources and expertise in its nation within the government sector, private sector and the civil society, in particular, for the purposes of the development of detection and demining technologies and of the related capacity building. Japan will also strengthen its diplomatic efforts for the universal ban of anti-personnel mines. 

Japan's contribution to the Asian region

At the signing ceremony of the Ottawa Convention in 1997, Japan introduced the ?Zero Victims Program?, focusing on the humanitarian aspect of the issue. In order to implement the program, Japan announced that it would provide about 10 billion-yen in assistance over five-year period beginning in 1998. In this regard, Japan has made a contribution of nearly 16.2 million US dollars to landmine-related assistance projects in Southeast Asian countries since 1998. 

Afghanistan

Among many mine-affected regions in the world, the situation in Afghanistan requires urgent assistance. The clearance of mines and unexploded ordnance is a crucial pre-requisite to advance consistently the reconstruction and development of the war-torn of Afghanistan. Japan has contributed 15.4 million US dollars for supply of all the equipment that is urgently needed, as the physical infrastructure for demining suffered a serious damage during the recent military operation. As for victim assistance projects, Japan will, as a first step, extend assistance to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its project to provide artificial limbs and enhance mine awareness. Dispatch of experts is also being considered. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

This is the outline of Japan's measures for the clearance of landmines. Now, I would like to ask Professor Nonami to talk on the Japan's technology of landmine detection and clearance.