## (2) Afghanistan

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In Afghanistan, its basic system of governance and economic and social infrastructures remain destroyed due to conflicts that lasted over 20 years. Since the terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001, international cooperation in the country has been underway, as part of the efforts and responsibilities of the international community as a whole to eradicate terrorism. In 2004, the new constitution was established, and the presidential election took place. However, the development of basic infrastructure, the abolition of the drug-dependent economy and the expansion of assistance for rural areas, which are indispensable for reconstruction and development, are challenges yet to be overcome. The Government of Afghanistan and the international community have been working together to revitalize the country.

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Japan continues to provide consistent assistance for Afghanistan, based on the idea that efforts for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan lead to the peace and stability of the world as a whole, as well as the eradication and prevention of terrorism. Japan hosted the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan (Tokyo Conference) in 2002. Here, Japan ensured assistance of over US$4.5 billion from the international community, and announced that Japan, for its part, would provide assistance of up to US$500 million. At a number of succeeding conferences, Japan announced additional aid, and, as of the end of FY2007, US$1.38 billion worth of assistance had already been implemented. In FY2008, Japan announced an additional US$550 million of aid for the time being at the Paris Conference in June 2008, bringing Japan's total pledge to US$2 billion.

Japan’s assistance to Afghanistan is built upon three pillars: political processes and governance, improvement of security, and reconstruction. Support for the political process and governance aims at restoring the basic systems that form the framework of the country. Examples of this type of support include administrative expenses support to the interim government and support for election monitoring of the presidential election in October 2004 and the subsequent parliamentary election. In order to help to improve security, Japan provides assistance for the restoration of security needed for the consolidation of peace, including Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration of ex-soldiers (DDR), landmine removal measures, and police

(Source: EPA=Jiji)

support. In particular, Japan cooperated as a lead country in the DDR process, completing support for the disarmament and demobilization of approximately 60,000 former soldiers in 2005, and for the reintegration of demobilized ex-soldiers in 2006. Japan is currently providing assistance for the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups (DIAG), which were beyond the DDR framework.

Japan provides reconstruction assistance based on recommendations of the then Special Representative of the Prime Minister, Sadako Ogata, (the Ogata Initiative), which was created upon her visit to Afghanistan in 2002. At present, Afghanistan has passed through the stages of requiring emergency humanitarian assistance, recovery, and reconstruction, and it is now shifting to the stage of full-scale development assistance. Japan is steadily assisting nation-building efforts for a new Afghanistan, based on the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS). In order to support Afghanistan's sustainable development, Japan carries out comprehensive rural development and infrastructure development to stimulate the agricultural sector, which is the mainstay of Afghanistan's economy, and the sector that employs the most people. Moreover, in pursuit of revitalizing national education systems, Japan has strengthened literacy education through JICA since FY2006. In FY2007, Japan offered cooperation under the Grant Aid for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, in which Japan supported the development of education materials for enhanced literacy, the construction of literacy centers and other facilities, and the training of trainers for literacy in nine Afghan provinces through UNESCO. In addition, Japan accepted 46 students at the expense of the Afghan government in FY2007.

Security in Afghanistan is not guaranteed yet, as demonstrated by the murder of Japanese staff belonging to a Japanese NGO in August 2008. Even in such a situation, Japan has been extending various aid activities while carefully