OSCE - Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Japan and OSCE

Since July 1992, as Japan participated in the Helsinki Summit of the CSCE as a guest of the presidency, Japan has been always involved in the CSCE. Today, as a "Partner for Co-operation"*, Japan actively participates in the activities of OSCE. Meetings of the Permanent Council (PC) as well as the Forum for Security and Co-operation (FSC) being held on a weekly basis in Vienna are attende by the Ambassador of Japan in Vienna or his staff, while the Meetings of Heads of State or Government and Ministerial Councils are usually attende by ministers or high-ranking officials from Japan for the exchange of views and consultations.

*Partners for Co-operation in Asia: Japan (1992), South Korea (1994), Thailand (2000), Afghanistan (2003), Australia (2009)

Japan, sharing basic values of democracy, human rights, rule of law and others, dispatches electoral observers, experts and other personell to election observation missions, regional missions or various workshops from the perspective of strengthening co-operation with the OSCE. Japan also contributes financially to the OSCE projects.

• Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kentaro SONOURA met Ambassador Thomas Greminger, Chairperson of the Permanent Council, discussed Ukraine situation and strengthening cooperation between Japan and OSCE (November 5, 2014)
• Project funded by Japan and other OSCE member countries: Assistance to Tajik Customs Service (October 17, 2013)
• Japanese Defence Minister visits OSCE, discusses strengthening future interaction (July 30, 2013)

Japan's Co-operation

Support for democracy and stabilization in Ukraine

As an Asian Partner for Co-operation, Japan actively supports OSCE's efforts to restore democracy and achieve stabilization in Ukraine.

• The Government of Japan dispatched six personnel to the election observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) to assist the fair execution of the early elections of the parliamentary assembly in Ukraine which took place on October 26, 2014.
• Emergency grant aid to the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine sent by the OSCE (April 25, 2014)
• Japan’s financial contribution to an OSCE project on national dialogue in Ukraine (March 7, 2014)

Participation in the Asian Contact Group

Meetings of the Contact Group with the Asian Partners for Co-operation are held about 5 times a year. Japan is making an important contribution to the discussins by providing the East Asia's perspectives on security environment and policies.

• Summary of the Presentation by Mr. Makoto TAKETOSHI, Ambassador of Japan, on October 17, 2014 titled "The role of women in building democracy - towards a society where women shine"
• Presentation by Mr. Makoto TAKETOSHI, Ambassador of Japan, on February 28, 2014 titled "Japan's Security Policy - Proactive Contribution to Peace"
• Presentation by Mr. Shigeo IWATANI, Ambassador of Japan, on June 7, 2013 titled "Human Security"
• Presentation by MR. Shigeo IWATANI, Ambassador of Japan, on February 15, 2013 Titled “The Foreign and Security Policy of the New Administration and Japan's Contribution to the OSCE”
• Presentation by Mr. Shigeo IWATANI, Ambassador of Japan, on March 2, 2012 titled "Japanese Contribution to Asian and European Security"

Japan-OSCE Conference

Usually once a year, a conferece co-hosted by the OSCE is held in one of Asian Partner countries. The 2014 conference was held in Tokyo, Japan, on the 16-17 June 2014.

• Concluding statement by Ambassador Taketoshi, June 17, 2014
• Opening Remark by Foreign Minister Kishida, June 16, 2014
• Japan-OSCE Conference (June 2014) - Website of the OSCE
• The last Japan-OSCE Conference (June 2009)

Co-operative Projects for Central Asia with the OSCE's Involvement

Japan is also promoting co-operative projects with the OSCE by applying the Japan's ODA schemes such as the "Grass-roots Human Security" grant aid scheme mainly in Central Asia. The Embassy in Vienna plays a complementary role to coordinate so that the co-operatin between the OSCE Missions and the embassies of Japan or other parties will proceed smoothly.

• Kyrgyzstan: FY2012 Grant Aid for Grass-roots Human Security Project
  New environmental monitoring equipment to enhance the protection of Kyrgyzstan's largest lake was handed over (February 17, 2014)
  OSCE, Japan government provide equipment for environmental monitoring around Issyk-Kul lake in Kyrgyzstan
• Kyrgyzstan: FY2011 Grant Assistance for Cultural Grass-roots Project
  OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Embassy of Japan support young people in southern Kyrgyzstan to promote reconciliation through art
• Kyrgyzstan: FY2011 Grant Aid for Grass-roots Human Security Project
  OSCE Centre and Japanese Embassy equip schools in Kyrgyzstan with water assessment laboratories