Guys!!!
We're discussing Izumo, not individuals nation's contribution to the stabilization of Mali. All nations involved are doing an outstanding job, lets not bicker over who's doing what. France, Bangladesh, who cares what their overall contribution is? They are both doing a great job!
Since the military aspect has been discussed already, I'll take a different course. I see Izumo not only as Japan's hedge against an island being over-run (let's be honest, that's what Amphibs are for), but also as an arm of its soft-power and humanitarian diplomacy. In 2013, Japan provided:
- In 2013, Japan provided US$1.1 billion for humanitarian emergencies, making it the fourth largest government donor of official humanitarian assistance.
- Over the past decade Japan has been the fifth largest government provider of humanitarian assistance. Its annual humanitarian assistance significantly increased by 59% in 2013.
- Over the past decade annual humanitarian assistance has accounted for between 2% and 10.2% of Japan’s official development assistance (ODA). In 2013, Japan’s ODA was equal to 0.2% of gross national income (GNI).
- 5% of Japan’s overall humanitarian assistance in the last 10 years has gone to countries in the Middle East. In the last 10 years the largest recipients of Japan’s humanitarian assistance have been Iraq (US$1.1 billion), Afghanistan (US$530 million) and Pakistan (US$450 million). Japan was the second largest donor to Afghanistan in 2012.
- In 2013, Japan provided US$77 million to the Syria Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) 2013 appeal, accounting for 4% of all funding.
- 67% of Japan’s official humanitarian assistance was spent in countries classified as long-term recipients of humanitarian assistance in 2012.
- Japan’s humanitarian aid policy 2011 outlines four areas of importance: assistance to refugees and IDPs; a smooth transition from emergency relief to early recovery and reconstruction; response to natural disasters; the security of aid workers and civil-military coordination. As a country that is itself prone to natural disasters, Japan is a leading donor in disaster risk reduction and mitigation.
- Japan is a member of, and adheres to the principles and practice of the Good Humanitarian Donorship Group. It was last peer reviewed by the OECD DAC in 2014.
- Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs started publishing to the International Aid Transparency Initiative(IATI) standard in June 2014. Japan endorsed IATI at the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan in December 2011.
- Humanitarian assistance and ODA can be viewed in the wider context of resource flows that can be mobilised in Development Initiatives’ Investments to End Poverty (ITEP) report – Japan country profile.
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Japan - Global Humanitarian Assistance
Izumo allots Japan an staging area for humanitarian relief efforts similar to how the US uses its Amphibious Assault Craft and Carriers:
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*I know these pictures aren't of Japanese military personnel. They are simply to serve as examples.
Izumo and her sister will help support East Asia when it needs help the most. Japan is doing an amazing job and continues to be a beacon of stability, peace and hope in our world.
