Despite a common claim that Japanese official development assistance (ODA) is not visible enough, Japan remains the fourth largest provider of ODA and is one of the strongest advocates of global health, as demonstrated by its leadership at the previous three G7 Summits. This chapter looks at the perception of global health by the Japanese population, historical development of Japan’s ODA policy, development of relevant policies regarding Japanese international commitment, and evolution of the conceptual framework of ‘human security’. This is followed by discussion of the engagement of Japan with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The final section introduces recent developments in new mechanisms to advance Japan’s contribution to global health through more effective coordination, innovative R&D funding, and enhancing the presence of Japanese staff in international organizations. Throughout this chapter, the relevance and possibility of strengthening commitment to global health is sought.
Monitoring progress towards universal health coverage: recent developments
