Topic: Conflict Commodities
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Jessie Kilpatrick
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Japan position papers GLIMUN 2007 committees
For over a decade, conflicts in Africa have been a main concern to Japan. Keeping relations peaceful between nations has been a constant goal of Japan’s since the end of World War II, and the newly arising and reoccurring conflicts in African countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast are very concerning. The fact that people are using natural resources to fund wars and, by doing so, enslave, torture, and strip human rights from their countrymen is an issue that demands serious consideration. Another concern that stems from the obvious problem of conflict commodities again becoming an issue is the people fleeing their native lands into surrounding countries, seeking protection and solace. Refugees are another main focus of Japan’s. Japan has been a leader in refugee assistance since 2000, and thinks that finding solutions for these displaced persons is another main issue that demands resolution.
Japan is of the opinion that the most pressing problem at the moment is the conflicts themselves. If these conflicts are not resolved, the refugees cannot return to their homes. Peaceful negotiations must be worked out between the two sides of these civil wars that most often spawn the issue of conflict commodities, and these negotiations must happen rather swiftly, but carefully still. Conflict prevention is a substantial investment of Japan’s, and, although some of these conflicts cannot be entirely prevented, Japan believes that they can indeed be worked out peacefully. One of the best ways to do this would be to bring in world powers such as the United States and have them mediate the negotiations along with other countries that support the resolution of the problem.
Most countries should support the idea of resolutions to the conflicts in Africa, if not for their allies then for the people being forced to work and live in inhumane conditions, having their limbs brutally cut off for insolence or not working hard enough, and being forced to flee their homes for fear for their lives or the lives of those they hold most dear. The strongest supporters of Japan’s ideas for the resolutions, however, will probably come from their allies, and African countries surrounding the conflict areas. The Ambassador in Charge of Conflict and Refugee-related Issues in Africa, Keitaro Sato, was appointed on April 7, 2003. His job is to look at conflicts through the eyes of the Africans directly affected by said conflict, and report back to Japan so they can better decide what should be done. This allows Japan to think in harmony with the governments of these African countries. This way, Japan and the countries they are dealing with can come to a conclusion that satisfies both parties. Japan has donated over 500 million yen to Sierra Leone so they can integrate their refugees back into the country and so they can build peace in their country again.
