Japan

2015: Attended the state consultations on the SSD in Geneva – led by Norway + 2015: Present at the First International Conference on the SSD in Oslo.

Unsupportive at the beginning. Signed letter of non-support to Norwegian Ambassador before Oslo Conference together with Australia, Canada, France, Republic of Korea, UK, and US. Canada, France, and the UK have since endorsed. MFA is now supportive, but MoD remains oppositional. Japan has signed OPAC, Paris, and Vancouver, but not the Declaration. HRC member, term expires in 2019. GPE donor member in constituency with Australia, Republic of Korea, United States.

June 2015: CAAC Open Debate: “Japan would like to pay tribute to the efforts made by all stakeholders in drafting the Lucens Guidelines. We welcome the fact that the international community’s recognition of the issue of protecting schools and education is expanding. Japan will continue keeping an eye on the development of the discussion on the issue”.

October 2017: Arria meeting: – Attacks against schools, teachers and students continue; heartaches to hear Joy’s story; – Many reminded – attacks on schools is one of the six grave violations that is monitored and reported on; – Unacceptable that schools and children exposed to attacks on their education; all parties must respect students safety and education; serious problem that child soldier numbers have not decreased; children valuable time in life and can never be recovered; – Attacks on schools are absolutely unacceptable; – Japan will continue to strengthen cooperation with Member States; will make every effort to end attacks on schools and education;

August 2016: Follow-up meeting with NY mission ahead of CAAC open debate. Japanese expert didn’t know too much about the Declaration but she said that Japan will mention attacks on schools and hospitals in their statement. Also, she wanted to know if there is a way we can link the Declaration to the Sustainable Development Goals as her people are very interested in the SDGs especially the one on violence against children. She thought that if the Argentina conference was framed as a new process, Japan might be more willing to come on board at that time. She also thought that one of the reasons for Japan not endorsing is the concern that other like-minded states are not endorsing. Outreach letter sent via Dragica in advance of CAAC Open Debate.

February 2017: Gisela met with GVA mission. Cautious. He referred to the letter that Japan had sent to Norway, together with Australia, Canada, France, Republic of Korea, UK and US in May 2015 to explain why they would not be endorsing. Like Bede did with Korea, I hinted that two of the co-signers were moving towards endorsement, which he was interested by. Once France and Canada endorsed, I emailed to advise him. He committed to share the information with his capital about the conference and examples of implementation of the Declaration, which he was also interested by. He thought participation by their embassy in Buenos Aires was the most likely option. Vero met with Ambassador at the Paris Principles conference. Was fully briefed by Tokyo and Geneva, still unhappy with the Norwegian about the process, but will come to Argentina.

March 2017: Bede wrote to the Ambassador in Paris to advise of the upcoming conference. MoFA responded to an email from HRW Tokyo to say that their embassy would attend the Argentina conference and that “MOFA is aware that Canada and France changed their positions and we are closely paying attention with interest to this area”. Attended Buenos Aires Conference on Safe Schools.

April 2017: Attended post-conference briefing for missions in New York. HRW and StC Japan to meet with MFA humanitarian and human rights department. Save NY raised the Declaration in discussions.

May 2017: Save Japan and HRW Japan met with the MoD. Surprisingly, they did not express any concerns about the Declaration/Guidelines, and sounded quite supportive – but they were new to the portfolio so their position might evolve when they have had some time to reflect. HRW met with the Director of ICRC Japan (Linh Schroeder). ICRC Japan was well-informed and supportive, and happy to offer advice if inquired from MoFA (although they will not initiate it). They would also be happy to address this at the IHL national committee, an informal roundtable which MoFA is considering to organise, chaired by MoFA and Red Cross Japan with attendance of relevant ministries and observation by ICRC. HRW will meet with a Diet member, MP Yakura of the Komeito party, who has previously been supportive.

May 2017: HRW Japan met MP Yakura and MP Ishikawa from new Komeito party, the coalition partner for the ruling LDP party. They helped two years ago, too. They were again very supportive and put HRW in contact with the deputy chair of the foreign affairs committee of the new Komeito party. If new Komeito party becomes publicly supportive, it can be a good encouragement for MoFA and MOD. HRW advised that MoFA is looking for good opportunities to announce the endorsement, which they can push relevant people to aim for as a goal date. Zama met with Yumi Omikya (CAAC expert in the New York Mission). Quite sympathetic, well informed. Explained that Tokyo had 2 objections: 1. Process along the objections of the UK, Germany, etc.; 2. That it goes beyond IHL. She said she needed to explain to her capital why it was intended to go beyond IHL. She asked what else the Security Council could do to improve protection for education in conflict. Zama suggested a standalone resolution which she seemed to receive positively. She said Japan cares about whether other Asian countries have joined but could also encourage others to join if they sign. She said the new Japanese member of the Committee on the Rights of the Child met with them recently and encouraged Japan to endorse the Declaration. HRW will host their annual Council Summit at the end of May. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will attend, and HRW plans to discuss attacks on education with him.

July 2017: HRW and Save Japan met MP Mitsunari Okamoto, the deputy head of the foreign affairs committee of the new Komeito party, a ruling coalition member. Believe that the involvement of new Komeito party is the key to the possible success. He is a former GS person and promised to work within the new Komeito party and gave some useful advice on how to move. He was convinced that Oct UNSC open debate is a good opportunity.

August 2017: Japan has a new FM and another friend MP is now Vice FM. HRW Japan met with another MP from the ruling coalition who promised to push the MOFA from political side. MOFA’s main concern is “in any way” in the Guideline 1 “Functioning schools and universities should not be used by the fighting forces of parties to armed conflict in any way in support of the military effort” that it leaves no room for exceptions. Bede responded that it is qualified by “in any way *in support of the military effort*.” Also, Guidelines are not legally binding, and it would be up to Japan to decide how to implement the Guideline themselves. Suggested asking in which way the government wants to preserve their ability to use schools. Government also advised to seek advice from ICRC.

September 2017: GCPEA sent a letter to the ambassador in New York asking to raise the issue on attacks and military use and to endorse the Declaration during the Open Debate on children and armed conflict.

September 2017: Save the Children Geneva and Japan conducted considerable advocacy to defend language on attacks on schools in the Human Rights Council resolution on the situation of human rights in Yemen, after Japan sought to have it removed.

October 2017: Coordinated advocacy is ongoing, led by Human Rights Watch and Save the Children Japan. Watchlist and Human Rights Watch (Zama) met with Japan in New York. The expert advised that the Mission is supportive but Tokyo’s position has not changed since 2015. GCPEA wrote to the expert in Geneva to request an update and share a copy of the Open Debate letter.

January 2018: Human Rights Watch, Save the Children Japan, and PLAN Japan are working together on an advocacy plan to push the government to endorse, including a campaign with the participation of schools.

February 2018: In advance of OPAC turns 18 event, GCPEA issued letter highlighting that Japan has signed OPAC, Paris, and Vancouver, but not the Declaration, and calling for endorsement.

February 2018: Save the Children New York met with Japan and raised the Declaration. The expert advised that Tokyo’s position has not changed. GCPEA provided background in advance of the meeting. GCPEA met with the expert in the Geneva Mission to share the framework for action and advise of the upcoming campaign in Tokyo, being organized by Human Rights Watch, Save the Children, PLAN Japan, and others.

March 2018: During the informal on Resolution A/HRC/37/L.33, Japan opposed references to the Declaration in operative and preambular paragraphs.

March 2018: Human Rights Watch met with Japan’s Deputy Ambassador in New York. The Deputy Ambassador said that he had been “deeply moved” by the October 2017 Arria formula meeting on attacks on education and committed to ask his Ministry to give a more “positive consideration” to endorsement of the Declaration as, although his Ministry has “legal concerns”, the Declaration contains many “common sense” ideas. He also noted that there are no armed conflicts in Japan or schools that are being used militarily, meaning that there is no sense of urgency on this issue.
March 2018: Save the Children Japan, Human Rights Watch, and PLAN have been running a large campaign in Japan, involving a number of high schools.

March 2018: The Kaetsu Ariake High School in Tokyo received an award for their campaign. They have started a petition and aim to secure 500 signatures from students of 30 schools. They also created a dedicated campaign website. A focus group session is held every Friday.

March 2018: Human Rights Watch published an op ed in the Japan Times highlighting how Japan’s considerable investment in education in emergencies including in, for example, Afghanistan, is endangered by the practice of military use of schools.

April 2018: GCPEA met with the disarmament expert in Geneva. Her Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament had been previously briefed in capital before being posted to Geneva. She mentioned one potential obstacle to endorsement: that the self-defence forces might have contingency plans to use schools to deploy anti-ballistic missiles. She was extremely interested by the UK endorsement and wanted to know more about how the UK had come to this decision. She was also interested in the position of the US and the Republic of Korea (neither have yet endorsed) since they are in a trilateral cooperation on defence matters. She noted that the UK and US cooperate closely so it is interesting that UK was able to endorse.

May 2018: Gisela sent to the Safe Schools newsletter to Kenji Terado (humanitarian) and Yoko Owatari (disarmament) in the Geneva Mission of Japan. She also highlighted the open debate as an opportunity for them to announce endorsement.

May 2018: During the Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in the Sec. Council Chamber, Dragica and Yumiko met with Ambassador Hoshino and Kanako Yasunaga, the CAAC expert at the Mission. The Ambassador said that while the mission would be ready to support endorsement of SSD once the decision is made at the capital, there are some concerns still within the MoFA and especially the MoD which he sounded like he wasn’t very sure of what the hindering factor is exactly. He stressed others like the UK and Canada were very much offering to share their insights on how they overcame challenges towards endorsement, but he did not take up the offer to have anyone come to them yet. Kanako said that the MoFA is seriously considering to change its position, with the increased pressure from the UK’s endorsement and the energetic campaigning by high school students.

June 2018: Parliamentary seminar was held by the Komeito party with support of HRW. Both the MoFA and the MoD was present at the seminar. MoFA, while supporting its objective to protect schools and children from attacks, expressed concern that the SSD goes further than the IHL, and that they need to consider carefully. MoD mentioned explicit concerns on Guideline 2 and 5, that these might restrict the scope of activity of the self defence force. The passionate presentations and comments from the high school students was moving, and it was also good that ICRC was present and provided a supportive view of the SSD as well as offered support in judicial interpretations. Foreign Minister Kono, while having agreed to meet with the high school students to receive petitions, has been too busy and we are still waiting for the right timing. Unfortunately, the mission in NY does not have much influence over this matter, and gaining political support from the top seems the key.

May 2018: Save the Children Japan and New York contacted the Mission in New York to secure their attendance at the launch of Education Under Attack 2018. They had a positive meeting with the Ambassador and the CAAC expert in New York who were interested to hear of Germany’s endorsement. The Mission is supportive of endorsement but indicated that there are concerns in the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs. All G7 members, except Japan and the US, have now endorsed.

July 2018: Co-sponsored resolution 2427 (2018) which includes a call for concrete measures to deter military use. At the UNSC Open Debate on children and armed conflict, Japan joined the statement of Canada on behalf of the GoF which mentioned the Safe Schools Declaration.

October 2018: UN WPS open debate advocacy in New York: Gisela met with the Advisor on Social Affairs, with whom Save the Children has previously met. She advised that the MFA is now supportive, though it has not always been. The MoD continues to block. The position of the United States is not a concern for them; rather, they would not like to be the last of the G7 to endorse. However, endorsement is blocked by internal issues, most likely concerns about tensions in the region and their contingency planning. Japan does not want to sign anything if they are not already “perfect”. The positive developments in the Korean peninsula are of interest, and may help to ease Japan’s concerns about security. The children’s campaign in Japan had been useful. The visit by Steven Haines is likely to be helpful for convincing the MoD. Approaches from MoDs of other states could also be helpful. Follow-up: Letter for Foreign Minister and gender recommendations sent by email.

November 2018: Professor Steven Haines and Save the Children UK conducted meetings with Ministry of Defence and Foreign Affairs and Parliament representatives to discuss the challenges to endorsement. and three MPs in Tokyo to encourage endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration. The main concerns raised were that endorsement would limit the ability of the Self Defence Forces (SDF) to use schools in order to respond to an invasion of Japan. In particular, the Ministry of Defense was concerned at the language in Guideline 5. As part of the visit, a symposium organised by Save the Children and Human Rights Watch took place at the parliament premises. The event featured intervention from parliamentarians from the opposition in favour of endorsement, and a group of high school students who have been campaigning on this issue. The students, representing 50 schools across Tokyo, Nagasaki and Okinawa, hand-in of the student’s petition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs representatives.

January 2019: During the meeting of the Committee on the Rights of the Child to discuss Japan’s periodic report, the Country Rapporteur noted as intriguing the fact that Japan had not yet endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration. She asked what Japan was doing to ensure that schools were not being used for military purposes. The delegation responded that the Safe School Declaration was getting a lot of attention in Japan and had even been discussed in Parliament. The Japanese army was prohibited by the Constitution from engaging in combat abroad and, although supporting the basic objective of the Safe Schools Declaration, Japan would not expressly support it.

January 2019: A well-respected TV news program in Japan called TBS News included a segment on the Safe Schools Declaration. This is a news program that both mainstream Japanese people and politicians watch. The program depicts a very reluctant Japanese government contrasted with high school students who genuinely want to protect the right of education of every child, as they have in Japan. HRW’s Ken Roth is quoted at 2:36 of the video.

December 2019: Nevena spoke with Geoff Loane, the ICRC Head of Education, who shared confidentially that the Japanese government had approached them and had requested a legal reading of the Safe Schools Declaration as they were considering endorsement. Geoff told us that this interest can be due to the recent appointment of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs as the new Defense Minister, who apparently is favourably disposed. According to him, the former Minister of Defense’s opposition to endorsement was the stumbling block. With this Cabinet reshuffle, there is an opportunity now to engage with the new Defense Minister and to follow-up. Geoff promised to keep us updated and seemed optimistic about a change in the Japanese’s position on the Declaration.

December 2019: Bede wrote to his Tokyo colleague who said that DF Kono is the former FM, who supported the SSD but failed to secure the green light from DM at that time. HRW and STC will seek a meeting with hem and prepare a joint letter (HRW, Save, some others if any, possibly students org?) to GOJ to encourage DM to consider the Declaration.

December 2019: HRW Japan wrote to the Minister of Defense and he responded positively and is willing to meet with them early next year. In the meantime, Bede is preparing an advocacy letter.

January 2020: Save the Children Japan and Human Rights Watch sent a letter to the new Japanese Minister of Defence calling for Japan to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, and updating him on the latest developments regarding level of endorsements and international support.

January 2020: Save the Children and HRW are trying to set up a meeting with the MoD. MoD’s biggest concern is the SDF’s operation within Japan. So Save the Children asked GCPEA how other G7 countries and/or developed countries like Norway implement the Guidelines. They also asked the following questions: 1) Are there any examples that a government has started to change their laws, rules or operation protocols for their SELF-DEFENCE WITHIN THEIR HOMELAND to ensure their commitment to SSD?; 2) Are there any examples that a government separates clearly the application of the Guideline to their military operations between the military actions abroad and within their homeland? Bede responded the following: “Many of Norway’s military bases are located in scarcely populated areas. In these places there are some “dual use”-objects, in terms of buildings that are owned by the Armed Forces and put at the disposal of the local population simply because it financially wouldn’t be sustainable, or even affordable, to build twice as many buildings. Sometimes these buildings are used for education. For example gym centers used by schools for physical education as well as by the army for physical training of the forces. … As part of the implementation process the Ministry of Defence has interpreted the Guidelines [on Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict] to mean the following: … [I]f the Armed Forces own realty/ buildings that is/are being rented out/leased to civilian educational facilities, the leasing contracts are, for the future, to contain a cancellation clause if an armed conflict should occur on Norwegian territory.” Or any of the countries that ban military manouevres that encamp on schools, since those laws were designed for application at home. E.g. Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UK.

October 2021: Japan co-sponsored UNSC resolution 2601 (2021), the first thematic resolution on the protection of education in armed conflict and to mention the SSD (preamble).

November 2021: Save the Children Japan met the newly appointed Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.She already knows the outline of the SSD and is basically supportive its “spirit” to protect schools/children, so Save explained the reference to SSD in the new SC resolution (Japan is one of co-sponsors) and importance of Japan’s endorsement in terms of its human rights diplomacy, which new Prime Minister Kishida wants to promote. They agreed to have a dialogue session on EiEPC and SSD with the ruling party members and Save youth team, early in the next parliamentary session. Next step: Save will try to secure a meeting with a special advisor to the prime minister on human rights issues, who is a former Defense Minister.

February 2022: Lunches in Geneva: GCPEA supported the Norwegian Permanent Mission in Geneva in organising two PR level lunches to discuss endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration with countries that have recently co-sponsored the UNSC resolution 2601. GCPEA prepared talking points and analysis of the countries’ positions (concerns and opportunities to endorsement). The first lunch took place on 09 February with the Ambassadors of Norway, Nigeria, Tunisia and Japan, as well as Michel Anglade, Save the Children Director representing GCPEA. Shortly after the lunch, the Norwegian mission received Tunisia’s letter of endorsement. During the discussions, Japan shared three main concerns about the Safe School Declaration: 1) Linkages between IHL and the Guidelines. 2) concern that endorsing the Safe School Declaration may lead to restrictions of the use of schools in time of disasters by military forces. 3) The defence agreement between Japan and the US could be an obstacle to endorse. Michel followed up with the Japanese Ambassador, addressing their concerns and sharing GCPEA resources on IHL and the Guidelines. Nevena shared the contacts of the UK Ministry of Defense and encouraged them to reach out to them for support and information on their experience in the process of endorsement.

August 2022: Nevena sent the TES recommendations to the Geneva Mission. The Mission replied and promised to transmit the recommendations to capital.

October 2022: On 6 October, Nevena and Apolline met with Hanna Kasahara from the PM of Japan in NY (covering CAAC and PoC agendas). The representative was new to the mission so we briefed her on GCPEA, the SSD, EuA22, res. 2601, and upcoming Malaysia conference. The representative explained that the Government is supportive of this agenda but cannot endorse the Declaration as it goes beyond IHL and considering that schools represent an important part of Japan’s civilian defense plans. She explained that Japan was initially opposed to the EWIPA declaration for the same reasons but recently changed its position given the Ukraine context. We agreed to share with her the contacts from the UK MoD that can share their government’s legal review of the Guidelines. She stated that Japan will have the UNSC Presidency in January 2023 and plans to focus on the rule of law. They will also join the WG on CAAC during their tenure and might support Malta as they will host the 20th anniversary on the optional protocols on CRC in February 2023. Overall interesting call but it seems that Japan is still far away from endorsement.

November 2022: Endorsed the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA) on 18 November during an International Conference hosted by Ireland, the leader and penholder behind the Declaration.

November 2022: Update on the champion states’ joint demarche with the 14 countries that co-sponsored UNSC resolution 2601 but have not yet endorsed the SSD: Joint démarche by the champions was done in capitals in Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Lithuania, and Lesotho, as well as through the Missions in New York with Comoros, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, and Tuvalu. On Japan specifically, Spain and Norway met with the MoFA. While they see the value of the SSD, they are not considering endorsement at this stage.

December 2022: Save’s meeting with Yamada Yoshiyuki, Second Secretary, Japanese Permanent Mission, on 25 November 2022 in Geneva
o Yamada said that there had been some movement in Japan’s position on the Safe Schools Declaration on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), but is unsure what can be shared at this stage – there is the possibility of change, noting that in principle there is not opposition on the human rights side from MOFA.
o Yamada said that there needs to be greater support from the Diet, given some of the concerns on the Declaration.
o Yamada noted that the concerns have continued to come from defence and relate to operational considerations, including the use of school grounds. Although, another more significant issue is that the US has not signed up to the Declaration and while they continue to have a military presence in Japan.
o Simon queried whether it would be helpful to have the US government indicate in private that they would support Japan’s endorsement or at least did not oppose it. Yamada said that would be helpful and Simon took to discussing further with Save the Children Japan and the US Embassy in Japan.
• Meeting with Hiroki Matsui, Senior Coordinator/Director, and Sakai Shingo, Assistant Director, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Division, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, on 7 December 2022 in Tokyo
o Yoko noted the Safe Schools Declaration conference coming up in Malaysia next year and encouraged MOFA to participate.
o Simon noted that Save the Children is encouraging Japan as well as Australia, among other states to sign the declaration. There is an increasing number of states signing on and would welcome Japan following suit, noting the concerns around attacks on schools in Myanmar and in Ukraine.
o Simon also noted that similar conversations were had with the Japan Permanent Mission in Geneva, and outlined the positioning provided, noting support, but awareness of the impact of US presence in Japan. He noted the value of engaging with the US Embassy to encourage support for the Declaration.
o Hiroki appreciated the update and said it would be helpful to keep in contact on those discussions.

January 2023: Save had a meeting with Yamada Yoshiyuki, Second Secretary, Japanese Permanent Mission, on 25 November 2022 in Geneva. Yamada said that there had been some movement in Japan’s position on the Safe Schools Declaration on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), but is unsure what can be shared at this stage – there is the possibility of change, noting that in principle there is not opposition on the human rights side from MOFA. Yamada said that there needs to be greater support from the Diet, given some of the concerns on the Declaration. Yamada noted that the concerns have continued to come from defence and relate to operational considerations, including the use of school grounds. Although, another more significant issue is that the US has not signed up to the Declaration and while they continue to have a military presence in Japan.

April 2023: Apolline and Andrea (Save the Children Geneva Office) met with Save the Children Japan (Yoko and Mami) on 19 April. Save Japan sees Australia’s recent endorsement as an opportunity to start discussions again on SSD endorsement with the MOFA. However, they met last month with someone from the Ministry, in the human rights department, who expressed Japan’s continued concerns about the Guidelines going beyond IHL. In particular, given the current tensions around Ukraine/Russia and China/Taiwan, Japan is weary of endorsing a declaration limiting military use of schools considering in the event of an invasion schools would be part of their military operations. Another concern mentioned is the security agreement they have in place with the US and the US not being a signatory to the SSD. In this regard, Save Japan is trying to engage the US embassy in Tokyo to ascertain if they would support Japan’s endorsement to the SSD. Japan’s focus at the UNSC has been on the rule of law, therefore protecting civilians, and protecting schools, is aligned with their priorities. While the timing is not ideal (stressing Taiwan tensions), it is still worthwhile to focus advocacy efforts on Japan. As such, GCPEA will secure a meeting with the NY mission in the coming weeks to see if there are opportunities to re-engage Japan.

May 2023: On May 26, 2023 Diya met with Mr. Kaoru Magosaki, Minister, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, and Mrs. Hanna Kasahara at the Mission of Japan to the UN in NY. Mr. Magosaki explained that the resistance to signing on to the SSD was coming from the Ministry of Defence and that their concern was that their interpretation of the Guidelines may be different from other governments and they do not want to be criticized for their interpretation. He explained that the Ministry of Defence is a very regimented bureaucracy where everything has to strictly adhere to established rules. They want to make sure that their interpretation is correct and in-line with like-minded governments. I explained that the Guidelines are not legally binding and non-prescriptive and can be interpreted as the government believes is appropriate to their own context. He understood this but maintained that the ministry of defence and the military are very sensitive to criticism. Mr. Magosaki suggested that the best way to try to convince the military and the Ministry of Defence would be for members of the military from like-minded states to speak directly to their Japanese counter-parts. He could not name like-minded states other than the US which of course has not endorsed, but when I suggested Australia he was positive. He also thought that meetings between military attaches in NY or Geneva would not be sufficient – what is needed is a much larger audience than two or three people. We need to think of fora where a like-minded country (or countries) might be having some sort of training or interaction with Japan. He mentioned NATO specifically. I also suggested that the Norwegian military could speak directly to the Japanese military as Norway is the holder of endorsements so if they say that Japan’s interpretation is correct, then that should be reassurance for Japan. Mr. Magosaki agreed that this was a good idea and thought that even a meeting with the Norwegian military attache may be a good idea. He did warn, however, that Japan’s endorsement would take a long time partly because of the military bureaucracy. On a separate note we had just come out of a POC debate side event co-sponsored by Japan and the Ambassador had spoken very eloquently about the need to protect education. Mr. Magosaki said that Japan was keen to do similar events in collaboration with GCPEA as they are very committed to the issue. Japan could provide a speaker or even a venue in some countries. I brought up the issue of funding and whether there might be opportunities for JICA to support GCPEA. He mentioned that embassies have pots of money up to about $70,000 which they give out to advocacy projects in-country. He suggested we could develop a project on peace education or capacity building related to protecting education. He was unable to suggest particular countries and asked me where we would like to do work. I mentioned the Sahel but they do not work that much in the region. Pakistan is a possibility or Nigeria. I asked about funding for international advocacy and he mentioned that JICA supports UNICEF so there may be a way of asking UNICEF to carve out a portion for GCPEA. He noted that funding to UNICEF was for emergencies and was for one year rom April to March – the funds have to be used by March each year it seems. I asked for a contact in JICA but he suggested the best thing to do was to deal with Hanna. We may want to start thinking about how we work more on protecting education outside

May 2024:

• On 7 May, Apolline met with Mr. Yoichiro Kobashi, First Secretary, at the Geneva PM (one of priority countries in our 2024 strategy).  
• He reiterated the usual concerns from the MoD – that the Guidelines go beyond IHL/ plans to use schools in the event of an invasion. He was interested in countries that changed their positions overtime such as the UK, Germany, France and Australia. He was also very interested in the US warming their position towards SSD as well as the recent CAAC policy adopted by NATO.  
• He was personally supportive of the SSD and promised to share these developments with his capital, emphasizing that the US and NATO information would particularly interest them.  

July 2024: Ilaria & Joelle had a teams call with Ms. Naoko Arakawa, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Japan in NYC. She used to work on the education file in UNHCR in Geneva. She seems a very committed advocate who can push things from inside, very positive impression, although she is not the person “in charge” of the SSD file and she confirmed that the resistance is still with MoD. Japan is one of the 5 co-chairs of the NY based GoF of education. In October 2024 Japan will become the main chair (currently is Norway) and they are looking for opportunities and partnerships, including around 1) Pact for the future, 2) women, peace and security, 3) 2025 summit for social development.  They are planning a meeting with Belgium around the Summit and they are open to collaboration. There is also a potential opportunity for GCPEA to make a presentation of EuA24 at the next meeting of the GoF (which includes 40 members). We followed-up to the discussion with the list of endorsing countries, the webcast of the launch of EuA24 and proposed education language for the Pact for the Future.

First Secretary

Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations