## (2) Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria are a major problem that affects not only the health of individuals, but also the socio-economic development of developing countries. In addition, co-infection of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis for which conventional drugs are not effective is a significant problem. Further, the strengthening of measures against new strains of influenza, polio, and other emerging/reemerging infectious diseases continues to be an international issue. Moreover, “neglected tropical diseases” $ ^{*} $ such as Chagas’ disease, Filariasis, Schistosomiasis have infected approximately 1 billion people worldwide, $ ^{12} $ causing major socio-economic loss in developing countries. Because infectious diseases have an impact that crosses national borders, the international community must unite to address them. Japan cooperates closely with the relevant countries and international organizations to implement countermeasures.

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## The three major Infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria)

Japan attaches great importance to supporting “the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund).” Discussions on measures against infectious diseases held for the first time at the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit held in 2000 led to the establishment of the Global Fund as an organization to provide funding against the three major infectious diseases. As one of its founders, Japan has contributed approximately $1.4 billion from the establishment of the Global Fund in 2002 until 2011. It is estimated that the Global Fund had saved the lives of 6.5 million people by the end of 2010. Furthermore, at the September 2010 UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit, Japan pledged to contribute up to $800 million to the

A baby is vaccinated for tuberculosis (BCG) in Bangladesh (Photo: Kana Matsukawa)

Global Fund in the coming years from 2011. In addition, Japan also prepared to provide supplemental bilateral aid to make it possible for measures against the three major infectious diseases to be implemented effectively in developing countries that receive assisted to the Global Fund. Japan is striving to enhance the link between strengthening health systems and implementing for maternal and child health (see “Terminology” on page 61 for a description of the three major infectious diseases and health system).

In June 2011, at the milestone 10th anniversary of the United Nations Special Session on HIV/AIDS, the United Nations High-level Meeting on HIV/AIDS was held at the UN Headquarters in New York to discuss the current issued on HIV/AIDS and the progress of the countermeasures worldwide. State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Yutaka Banno headed a delegation from Japan, and renewed the government's commitment to contribute to international measures against HIV/AIDS, regardless of the fact that it was soon after the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition, Japan also contributed in the aspects of expertise in launching the Global Plan towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections among Children by 2015 and keeping their Mothers Alive.

As HIV/AIDS countermeasures through bilateral aid, to prevent new infections Japan spreads knowledge, raises awareness, and provides testing and counseling, and enhance the distribution of drugs to treat HIV/AIDS.