school at all.

The soaring food prices in recent years have been further increasing the number of people suffering famine and malnutrition in developing countries. The FAO points out that an additional 75 million people fell into hunger in 2007, $ ^{53} $ and the World Bank also estimates that around 100 million people are impoverished by the food price hike and an additional 40 million people may be starving in 2008. $ ^{54} $ There is also concern that the rising food prices can seriously affect not only the food sector but also the sectors of health, education, and water and sanitation. Comprehensive and consistent multidimensional measures beyond food distribution therefore are needed to deal with the issues associated with the food price rise, such as ensuring social safety nets and improving supply-demand balance with increased food production.

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Japan provides food aid to developing countries faced with food shortages and supports efforts to improve the food productivity of the developing countries as a mid- to long-term effort.

Food aid is implemented from a humanitarian viewpoint to help those who suffer from hunger. In FY2007, Japan disbursed a total of around ¥16 billion in Food Aid (KR: Kennedy Round) to countries faced with food shortages, such as those in Africa. Of this amount, ¥7.28 billion was provided in the form of bilateral assistance to Nepal, Eritrea, Cabo Verde, Burkina Faso, Haiti, and other countries, and ¥8.68 billion was provided to Timor-Leste, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Palestine, and others through the WFP and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Japan has been making an active contribution to the WFP in particular, by extending US$120 million in 2007, including Food Aid through the WFP, making Japan the fifth biggest donor.

In order to increase agricultural output, it is also important to improve irrigation facilities and food production technology through technical cooperation and other assistance. In recent years, Japan has been helping Zambia's efforts to diversify edible farm products for food security at the regional and household levels in areas frequently hit by droughts. $ ^{55} $ In Uganda, Japan has introduced sustainable irrigation farming that effectively uses water resources in order to increase rice production. $ ^{56} $

See page 73 on Japan’s efforts for agriculture and rural development/fisheries.

## I ssue of Rising Food Prices

The rising food prices, which are particularly conspicuous since the latter half of 2007, have greatly affected even WFP food assistance programs. In response to the issue, Japan has been actively issuing emergency food aid, and has urged the international society to take united measures on various diplomatic occasions where Japan takes up the issue as the country holding the G8 presidency or hosting an international meeting.

(Source: AFP=Jiji)

(5) Resources and Energy

Japan’s record in FY2007 is as follows:

Loan aid (ODA loans): Approx. ¥129.8 billion (to eight countries)

Grant aid: Approx. ¥5.6 billion (to nine countries)

Technical cooperation

356 trainees accepted

114 experts dispatched

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Energy issues have global dimensions such as poverty, sustainable development, and environmental problems. It