## ☑ Response for Promoting Democratization and for Ensuring Basic Human Rights and Freedoms

The new administration that established after political turmoil in developing countries might have doubts regarding the democratic legitimacy, it is possible to be suspended the constitution that should halt infringement of human rights, and to be violated the basic human rights. There is also possibility the human rights of the people would be threatened by the government suppression in developing country that anti-government demonstrations occur frequently. In such cases, Japan deals cautiously with implementing ODA assistance. Specifically, Japan ensures that developing assistance is used appropriately

Myanmar: In November 2010, the Government of Myanmar held a general election, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest. March 30 2011, marked the transition from military government to civilian government, and also released approximately 50 political prisoners in Mid-May of 2011. This is viewed as a positive step forward democratization of Myanmar. In light of these circumstances, in June 2011, with regard to economic cooperation, Japan decided to consider and implement on a case-by-case basis projects centering on basic human needs (BHN) which would directly benefit the people of Myanmar while closely following the progress of democratization and improvement of human rights situations in Myanmar. Considering the subsequent release of over 200 political prisoners, the meeting between President U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, registration of the National League for Democracy (NLD) as a political party, announcement of participation in a by-election by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and other positive steps toward democratization and national reconciliation, Japan would continue to provide economic assistance, while encouraging the Government of Myanmar to make further progress on democratization and national reconciliation. In addition to communicating these views to the leader of Myanmar on the occasion of Japan-Myanmar Summit in November 2011 and Foreign Minister Gemba's visit to Myanmar in December 2011, at the ODA Policy Consultation Meeting held in November 2011, a wide range of discussions were held on Japan's assistance policies on ODA for sustainable development of Myanmar. In this Consultation Meeting both countries shared the view to further enhance coordination in the future.

and conveys to the recipient country its deep concern regarding the status of democratization and human rights in developing countries. For example, Japan encourages developing countries to restore a democratic political process at an early stage such as Fiji where a bloodless military coup occurred in December 2006, and Madagascar where an unconstitutional change of administration occurred with the support of the military. Also in such cases, Japan will consider carefully for each ODA project to be implemented for a certain time.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba meets with President Thein Sein during the first visit to Myanmar by a Japanese Foreign Minister in nine years

Syria: Since March 2011, anti-government demonstrations have been taking place in various regions of Syria, and the country’s security force suppress demonstrates by using weapons. Japan has strongly urged Syria to immediately stop acts of violence against civilians, and promptly implement various reforms that people are demanding, including political and economic ones to restore the stability of the country. Japan decided to withhold the implementation of new ODA except for assistance of an emergency or humanitarian nature.

Terminology

## $ ^{*} $ Gender mainstreaming in development

“Gender” refers to socially and culturally formed views of masculinity, femininity, the role of men, the role of women, etc. Gender mainstreaming in development refers to a process to ensure that all development policies, measures, and projects must incorporate the assumption that they will have different impact on men and women, and clarify the development issues, needs, and impact on men and women at all stages of planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation related to development policy, measures, and projects, in order to achieve gender equality. In this process, the difference in life circumstances and needs of men and women are clearly understood at the project planning stage and are taken into consideration during implementation.