## Major Earthquake in Sichuan Province, China

The magnitude 8.0 earthquake that hit Sichuan Province, China on May 12, 2008 was a major disaster that left approximately 70,000 people dead. Japan provided a total of ¥500 million in emergency grand aid and emergency relief goods such as tents. In response to a request from the government of China, Japan dispatched search and rescue team of 61 people and a medical team of 23 people.

The search and rescue team carried out search and rescue activities every day from May 16 through 19. As a result of discussions with the Chinese side, the medical team carried out medical activities together with Chinese medical personnel at West China Hospital next to Sichuan University where there was an urgent need for emergency medical services. For 10 days starting on May 21, the medical team split into eight groups and worked in the emergency room, ICU, and X-ray unit, and altogether the team provided medical care to about 1,500 patients.

## Collaboration with International Agencies

Japan provides cooperation for the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery established in the World Bank in 2006. This facility aims at supporting efforts like improving capacity for disaster prevention planning, policy, as well as damage rehabilitation. Its targets are low and middle-income countries which are vulnerable to disasters. Japan has made financial contributions of US$6.0 million to the facility during a three year period.

Under the increasing recognition of the importance of disaster risk reduction, it was agreed in the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 to establish the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction to facilitate discussions on this issue, with participation from international organizations including the United Nations and the World Bank and their member countries. This led to the first meeting of the Global Platform in July, 2007. Japan actively supports the activities of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (UN/ISDR), which assumes the role as the secretariat of this Global Platform. In October 2007, the Hyogo Office of the UN/ISDR opened.

## The First World Landslide Forum

The First World Landslide Forum was held in November, 2008 in Tokyo, bringing together participants engaging in measures against landslides from around the world. Japan provided assistance of US $150,000 to UN/ISDR to hold this forum, thereby contributing to the international cooperation on measures against landslide disasters, in which Japan has been playing the leading role with its expertise and technologies.

## (6) Transnational Crime and Terrorism

With globalization, the progress of high-tech devices, and the increasing movement of people, international organized crime and terrorism have become threats to the international community as a whole. International organized crime, including the illicit trade of narcotics and firearms, illegal immigration, trafficking in women and children, smuggling of cash, forgery of currencies, and money laundering, has been becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated in its methods in recent years. As for terrorism, the power of international terrorism organization Al Qaeda and related organizations cannot yet be disregarded, and extremist activities by organizations that have been influenced by the ideas and terrorism methods of Al Qaeda have become a new threat. In effectively responding to international organized crime and terrorism that are advancing across national borders, efforts by a single country would be limited. Thus, in addition to the strengthening of measures by each country, it is necessary for the international community as a whole to eliminate all legal loopholes through efforts such as support for capacity building in the justice and law enforcement fields in developing countries.