(Source: EPA=Jiji)

1) The G8 members welcomed the report by the G8 Health Experts that advocates the Toyako Action Plan, which indicates comprehensive efforts for combating infectious diseases, improving maternal and child health, and strengthening health systems.

2) A renewal of the commitment by the G8 members to continue efforts to work towards the goals of providing at least a projected US$60 billion over five years to fight infectious diseases and strengthen health systems, which was agreed at the G8 Heiligendamm Summit in 2007.

3) A pledge by the G8 members to cooperate with African countries in order to increase health workers in Africa to a ratio of 2.3 people for every 1,000.

4) Regarding countermeasures against malaria, the G8 members will aim to provide 100 million mosquito nets by 2010 with the cooperation of other countries.

### 3. Education

## (1) Current Situations

Education comprises the foundation for self-reliance and development for all individuals and states. According to a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the number of out-of-school children throughout the entire world was reduced by 25% from 96 million in 1999 to 72 million in 2005, with a particularly notable progress in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as South and West Asia. Nevertheless, there are still 33 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa not attending school. Furthermore, 18 million more teachers worldwide, of which 3.8 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, are needed in order to achieve universal primary education.

The international community continues working on the Education for All (EFA) $ ^{4} $ initiative which includes the achievement of MDG 2 (achieve universal primary education) and MDG 3 (promote gender equality and empower women).

## (2) Japan’s Basic Ideas and Specific Support Measures

In an April 2008 policy speech entitled Education for All: Human Resource Development for Self-Reliance and Growth, then Foreign Minister Koumura noted that in order to achieve EFA and the MDGs it would be important to 1) further enhance basic education in both quality and quantity, 2) strengthen assistance on various education levels beyond basic education, 3) develop synergies between the education sector and other development sectors, and 4) create partnerships in which all people participate, both domestically and internationally. In addition, with regard to basic education, he announced the following concrete proposals for Africa over the next five years: 1) the construction of approximately 1,000 schools containing approximately 5,500 classrooms, 2) capacity building for 100,000 math and science teachers (approximately 300,000 worldwide), and 3) improvement of school management through community participation (“School for All” model).

## (3) TICAD IV and the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit

Japan’s basic ideas were reflected in the Yokohama Declaration and the Yokohama Action Plan issued at TICAD IV held in May 2008, which included improving access to and quality of basic education, assistance on various educational levels beyond basic education, and a cross-sectoral approach between education and other development sectors including school meals, safe drinking water, and toilets.

Education was brought up at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in July 2008 under Development and Africa which was one of main agendas. Japan noted the importance of continuing to focus on promoting universal primary