Japan eyes cut in funds to UN from 2007 ( 2004-01-23 11:40) (Agencies)
The United Nations assesses financial contributions by member states every
three years and Japan's share was set at 19.5 per cent for 2004-2006 late last
year, just behind 22 per cent for the top contributor the United States.
"We believe contribution ratios should be fairer and more-balanced when the
assessments are reviewed next time in late 2006 for 2007-2009 ... We aim at a
lower ratio," he said.
The review is made by 191 member states, he said. "It is not something that
Japan forces upon other states or something that others force upon Japan," he
said.
The official said the government was "aware of the strong notion among
people" that Japan, bidding for a permanent seat in the Security Council for
many years, has not been given its due despite its huge financial contribution.
With the exception of the United States, the other permanent members of the
Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia -- contribute less than 10
percent of the UN budget each.
In New York, UN spokeswoman Marie Okabe said the world body had not got any
official word from Tokyo while noting Japan was "a vital contributor to the
United Nations."
"It is the second-largest contributor and also gives indispensable voluntary
contributions to humanitarian programmes. We hope that this will continue," she
said. "The world looks to Japan for leadership on this matter."
In a draft budget for next fiscal year starting in April 2004, Tokyo
earmarked 37 billion yen (US$345.8 million) for its contribution to the UN
budget, up 4.3 billion yen from the initial budget for this fiscal year.