Press releases

March 4, 2008
Japanese Government commits to a lifesaving G8 agenda

"Japan, as chair [of] the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, will play a leading role in the international community's discussions concerning water and sanitation."

At the United Nations University in Tokyo in February 2008, Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Masahiko Koumura, delivered a speech committing his Government to putting sanitation and water firmly on the G8 agenda.

WaterAid America's CEO & President, Patricia Dandonoli, commented, "The Japanese Government should be commended for bringing much needed focus to the water and sanitation crisis. Inadequate water and sanitation provision results in the daily loss of 5,000 children's lives from easily prevented diseases, and traps vulnerable communities in poverty across the developing world.

Water and sanitation are closely relatedto other issues such as poverty, health, education, and gender, onwhich progress is needed in order to achieve sustainable development.

"As several East Asian nations have proved, investment in water andsanitation has the power to not only combat disease, but also boostproductivity and economic growth."

Japan has been the world's largest donor in the sanitation and watersector since the 1990s. The challenge now is for the international aidsystem to follow Japan's lead and reform itself to deliver aid to thisneglected, but vital, sector.

The evidence is clear: Investing in sanitation and water brings vasteconomic returns and provides the first step out of extreme poverty.

As Masahiko Koumura said, "Water and sanitation are closely relatedto other issues, such as poverty, health, education, and gender, onwhich progress is needed in order to achieve sustainable development.[…] Behavioral change and developing clean and safe sanitationfacilities are crucial for maternal and child health. […] Theresolution of issues relating to water and sanitation willsignificantly contribute to the achievement of other MillenniumDevelopment Goals as well."

Download Mr Koumura's speech to read more about Japan's commitment to water and sanitation.

Notes to Editors

• WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.
• WaterAid's mission is to overcome poverty by enabling the world'spoorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygieneeducation.
• 1.1 billion people or roughly one sixth of the world's populationdo not have access to safe water, and 2.6 billion people or two fifthsof the world's population do not have access to adequate sanitation.
• 1.8 million children die every year as a result of diseases causedby unclean water and poor sanitation. This amounts to around 5,000deaths a day (WHO)
• WaterAid projects providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education cost just $30 per person