Newsletter No. 671
News-Analysis
July 8, 2007

 

RECENT JAPANESE ACTIVITIES IN YEMEN

In recent weeks there has been a trickle of small stories about Japanese activities in Yemen. All of these reports have come from the Yemeni press, and I have seen no mention of these things in the Japanese press or at the MOFA site.

Debt Relief for Sanaa

On July 3rd, the Japanese embassy in Sanaa exchanged notes with the Yemeni government canceling over US$6 million of Yemen's debt for 2007 to Japan. This was done in line with the decision of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development which calls on donor countries to decrease debts of countries facing serious financial difficulties.

The Japanese statement revealed that Japan has cancelled more than US$31.5 million of Yemeni debts in the years between 2003 and 2006 in order to support the Yemeni government’s efforts to achieve economic development and to alleviate poverty. Regrettably, however, the report gives no information about the amount of debt that Yemen still owes to Japan.

The Progress and Challenges of Japanese Technical Assistance to Yemen

On the 4th, Kenichi Sasaki of JICA met with Yemeni Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training Ibrahim Hajri and discussed the results of the JICA survey in Yemen in February of this year (see Shingetsu Newsletter Nos. 492, 504, and 540). They also discussed the procedures by which a technical expert might be sent to the JICA Yemen office. It appears that no major decisions have been reached yet, and that discussions about the precise form of Japanese technical aid are ongoing.

As for some of the current projects, a report by the Yemen Observer has some useful information. Yoji Hattori, first secretary in the Japanese embassy, was quoted as follows: “Education and vocational education, health and rural water are the things that we are interested in because it reflects human security in living, and makes our lives happy… There have been many injured by mine explosions in Yemen since the war of 1994. We are improving the lives of those so afflicted, so that they can be compatible with their communities. We will continue our efforts towards the welfare of the Yemeni nation.”

Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Program Associate Shinji Hirose added: “There are two projects that have already been agreed upon by the Japanese government. One is a project by the Mine Survivors Association, and the other project is a project of environmental reform in Hodeidah. The first project will be implemented by the Mine Survivors Association. They will establish and install workshops for carpentry, welding and garment making and textile yarn in some areas in Yemeni governorates… Of course this will support those affected by mines and improve the standard of living through getting jobs because the objective of this project is to provide employment opportunities for those affected by mines… The second project will be executed by the Association of Environmental Reform in the governorate of Hodeidah. This project will be in the area of al-Dhawnieh, in the al-Marawea district in Hodeidah Governorate… The association will establish a water tank and construct water systems in neighboring regions, and will maintain the existing pumps there… The purpose of this assistance is to improve and reduce the problems of water in the al-Dhawnieh area and its neighboring areas, because these areas are affected by malaria due to the lack of health facilities, such as water and irrigation networks. I think that the two projects will improve the health of women and children there.”

All of this sounds rather upbeat, but News Yemen has carried a recent interview with JICA’s Kenichi Sasaki that sounds much more candid. Sasaki was quoted as saying: “Yemen lost so much aid during the suspension of JICA's activities in Yemen between the 1994 civil war until 2005… Weak administration, the incompetence of the technical capacities of the executive governmental bodies, and the lack of motivation by officials in such bodies reduce the opportunities for cooperation with Yemen.”

As an example, Sasaki cited the fact that although he will arrive at a project location by 8 am, he will usually have to wait at least and hour before the local Yemeni officials finally show up. Then, even though they are contracted to work until 2 pm, in reality the Yemeni employees terminate their work by around noon. Clearly, Sasaki is not impressed by the work ethic of the local people.

Peace Boat Docks in Aden

On June 30th, the cruise ship of the well-known Japanese NPO Peace Boat arrived in Aden carrying over one thousand Japanese and international students. The coordinator of the stopover in Aden told the local press that, “the objective of the voyage is to learn about the culture and history of Yemen. He also indicated that several events have been scheduled for the students such as visiting Aden University, Yemeni Women’s Union offices, and a number of schools as well as kindergartens. The students will also visit historical sites in Aden and Taiz governorates, and will hold a football match between the cruise ship’s league and one of Aden’s prominent teams.”

This is the 58th Voyage for Peace that departed Yokohama on June 9, 2007 and is scheduled to return on September 20, 2007. Including Aden, it will visit 22 ports of call. This is the first call in many years to the port of Aden.

The NPO Peace Boat describes their overall mission as follows: “Peace Boat seeks to create awareness and action based on effecting positive social and political change in the world. We pursue this through the organization of global educational programs, responsible travel, cooperative projects, and advocacy activities. These activities are carried out on a partnership basis with other civil society organizations and communities in Japan, Northeast Asia, and around the world. Peace Boat carries out its main activities through a chartered passenger ship that travels the world on peace voyages. The ship creates a neutral, mobile space and enables people to engage across borders in dialogue and mutual cooperation at sea, and in the ports that we visit.”

Taking a longer view, the stopover of Peace Boat in Aden brings echoes of the past. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Aden and Suez were the two most-often visited Arab lands by Japanese travelers. Whenever ships were making the passage between Japan and Europe, a brief stopover in the British port of Aden for coaling and supplies was usual.

In December 1890, when Jiji Shinpo reporter Shotaro Noda visited Aden together with two Japanese warships, the Hiei and the Kongo, he described the local scene to his Japanese readers as follows: “The ground is very dry and the grass is short… the high and lofty red mountain rises 1,776 feet above sea level… Looking around the place, you may be startled to notice a gun emplacement on the towering gates high above. In spite of this, there are camels walking about very slowly as if they are asleep. The very black natives are herding very white sheep, and together they throw up large clouds of red dust… Groups of Japanese sailors dressed all in white are entering every shop. They discover ostrich feathers and giant eggs and all manners of unusual items. In whichever shop you enter, you will be shown heaps of ceramics or dolls or armored helmets or printed pictures. On the walls of a hotel are hanging pictures showing Japanese natural scenes. There is even a scrapbook with cut-out pictures of beautiful Japanese women. I was a little surprised to come across such a unique contrivance.”

It would be interesting to know how similar or how different the impressions of the young Japanese in Aden today may be from those of their late 19th century predecessor.