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JPFP Newsletter Japan Parliamentarians Federation for Population (JPFP) No.103 January & February 2021 JPFP Column These parliamentarians from Japan established the Japan Parliamentarians Federation for Population (JPFP) in 1974, as the world’s first supra-partisan parliamentary caucus on the issues of population and development. This was because there was understanding that to solve these issues, measures needed to be implemented through international cooperation. Japan’s parliamentarians, moreover, worked towards the establishment of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA, formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities), with Dr. Rafael M. Salas (the former executive secretary to the Hon. Yasuo Fukuda president of the Philippines), who had similar thoughts Former Prime Minister of Japan about the issues of population and who was a senior Chair of APDA, Honorary Chair of JPFP officer at the United Nations at that time. ––What were the reasons for thinking about “population” Introduction and “development” together? Hon. Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan, has served as the fifth Chair of JPFP (2007-2012), Chair of APDA Hon. Fukuda: At the time, Japan’s politicians thought that (2007 to present), and the fourth Chair of the Asian Forum development should aspire towards building a society of of Parliamentarians on Population and Development peace and prosperity and that the issues of population (AFPPD) (2005-2012), guiding parliamentarian activities on should be addressed from such a perspective of economic population and development in Japan and Asia as well as and social development. around the world. To put this into context, this line of thinking was We interviewed Hon. Fukuda on the role Japan has played influenced by the creation by Takeo Fukuda and others, in in the field of population and development and on 1983, of the InterAction Council (a.k.a. OB Summit), which principles underlying the creation of the parliamentarian brought together former prime ministers and presidents. activities. The objectives of the OB Summit were disarmament, ****** world peace, and stable economic development, and in parallel, identified population and development as one of ––Could you please tell us why parliamentarian activities in its top priority issues. the field of population began in Japan? It was from this major global trend that the Asian Hon. Fukuda: A country’s prosperity has much to do with Population and Development Association (APDA) was its population and economic strength. After the World War established in 1982 and began serving as JPFP’s II, Japan made a steady progress in development because secretariat. JPFP and APDA have since been working its economic growth outpaced its population increase. In together to address issues related to the world’s other Asian countries during the 20th century, however, population and development. economic growth could not keep pace with the rapid population increase, which resulted in poverty to increase. ––What achievements were there specifically? In 1973, a delegation of parliamentarians from Japan, Hon. Fukuda: In the activities led by Japan’s headed by the former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, parliamentarians, we have consistently shown that visited Asian countries. What they saw was poverty and a population and development are inseparable. At the rapid increase in population. To ameliorate such International Conference of Parliamentarians on circumstances, the delegation felt that a more balanced Population and Development, convened in Mexico City in development was needed, where social development— 1984 through the initiative of JPFP and APDA, we including education, health and sanitation, and addressed the issues of population and development improvement in the status of women—would drive jointly. economic growth. They quickly started activities for assistance. In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) was organized by the United Nations in Cairo. Immediately prior to this conference, the Hon. Fukuda: We may be spared the “population International Conference of Parliamentarians on explosion” that had been a concern in the past. Even now, Population and Development was convened with Japan’s some countries continue to have their populations leadership. The declaration from the parliamentarian increase, whilst other countries like Japan are facing conference, drafted by JPFP and APDA, was reflected in population decrease and ageing. Circumstances vary. the ICPD’s Programme of Action. This was an epoch- Moreover, even if a country as a whole becomes making achievement. prosperous, there is now substantial inequality within a country. We must think about these issues as well. The In this manner, JPFP and APDA have consistently need to respond to these circumstances has put a heavier propounded groundbreaking policies and led burden of responsibility on parliamentarians. international public opinion and activities in this field. With the encouragement of JPFP and APDA, parliamentary ––The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are today fora on population and development have been an international guiding principle. Japan apparently also established in all regions of the world, and Japan has played played a role in this. a central role in creating a network across borders. Through this network, achievements from development assistance Hon. Fukuda: The concept of “sustainable development” and other programs as well as countries’ experiences, best became internationally known through the United practices, and lessons learned were effectively shared, and Nations’ World Commission on Environment and international cooperation was promoted. This unique Development, which was established in 1984. The international network was a product of the collaboration concept was included in the report “Our Common Future” between JPFP and APDA. UNFPA has also extended that the commission compiled in 1987. To begin with, this cooperation in strengthening this network. commission was established because Takeo Fukuda and other politicians from Japan persuaded the United ––What can other countries learn from Japan’s experience? Nations through the Japanese government, and it was established with contributions from Japan. The report Hon. Fukuda: On reflection, Japan’s failings are excessive was also adopted in Tokyo. concentration of people in Tokyo, low fertility, and population decrease. Japan, in addition, did not respond ––You could say that the former Prime Minister Takeo properly to the issue of women’s participation in society. Fukuda is the father of “sustainable development”. Even though gender equality has substantially advanced in education and choice of work, birthing remains uniquely a Hon. Fukuda: This World Commission on Environment woman’s role. Politicians must first take the initiative in and Development is also known as the Brundtland promoting efforts to create an environment conducive to Commission, because it was chaired by the former women having children and to build a society where child Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland. She rearing support is readily available. was also a member of the OB Summit, which had had long Some 40 years have passed since the establishment of the discussions on “population and development”. This was OB Summit that I mentioned earlier. Today, the “corona also the result of the initiative exercised by Takeo Fukuda. shock” from the spread of COVID-19 infection is having a The SDGs include the concept of “human security” of growing impact on the economy. In terms of military “realizing a world in which no one is left behind”. It was affairs, nuclear disarmament has stalled, and new security Japan that developed this concept further after it threats have emerged, such as autonomous weapons and emerged at the end of the Cold War. The then Prime cyberattacks, that may replace nuclear weapons. Minister Keizo Obuchi propounded this concept in 1998, Furthermore, the United Nations has warned that global and Ms. Sadako Ogata (the former United Nations High warming is accelerating at a faster rate than previously Commissioner for Refugees) and Hon. Keizo Takemi anticipated. There is concern that if radical measures are (Member of the Board of Directors, APDA) followed it up. not taken now, the Arctic ice and permafrost would melt, The Commission on Human Security was established in further accelerating global warming, adversely impacting 2001, and a resolution on human rights was adopted at the natural ecosystem, resources, and food, and resulting the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. in a perilous state where natural disasters occur at frequent “Human security” is at the core of SDGs. This kind of intervals. We must act now. epoch-making contribution by Japan is serving as an I think it will be important for JPFP and APDA, while important guidepost in international undertakings. I take appreciating the spirit with which their respective pride in the fact that JPFP and APDA have played an organizations were founded, to propose solutions on how extremely important role in all of this. we respond to such new global trends and issues and to provide the basis for action. ––As the nature of population issues changes, what role are parliamentarians expected to play through their ––Thank you very much for speaking with us today. activities? Established in 1974, deployment of additional economic measures, including business sustainability JPFP is the world’s first supra-partisan parliamen- benefits

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