High Commissioner to visit Japan

Briefing notes

High Commissioner to visit Japan

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

3 September 2004

The High Commissioner will begin a four-day official visit to Japan next Tuesday 7 September, to bolster ties with one of the refugee agency's most generous donors and discuss current refugee issues. During his visit he will meet with Japan's foreign minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and justice minister Daizo Nozawa as well as the Head of Japan's International Cooperation Agency, JICA, former UNHCR High Commissioner Sadako Ogata. UNHCR works closely with JICA in several countries. The High Commissioner will also meet senior government officials, NGOs and others. Japan is our second largest donor, contributing over $91 million to UNHCR last year.