IOM Director General Brunson McKinley
completed last week a successful visit to Japan. One of the
important outcomes of this visit is a mutually confirmed
partnership to jointly promote "Human Security", a key aspect of
Japan's global policy.

This partnership was discussed during a
meeting with Dr Takahiro Shinyo, Ambassador and Director General,
Global Issues Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Human Security is a human-centered approach
with an emphasis on the protection of each individual and on their
empowerment for self reliance. I am very pleased to have confirmed
this Human Security partnership with IOM to promote further
cooperation in the areas of humanitarian assistance," said Dr.
Takahiro Shinyo.

"This partnership is a clear recognition by
the Japanese government of IOM's contributions to Human Security,"
said Brunson McKinley. "It reinforces our relationship and broadens
areas of cooperation."

Earlier this month, Japan donated one billion
yen (US$8.6 million) to IOM's programmes supporting the Indonesian
government's peace-building efforts in Indonesia's Aceh province.
In 2005 alone, Japan made generous contributions to IOM's
activities in tsunami-affected areas, Sudan, Pakistan and global
counter-trafficking activities totalling more than US$30
million.

During this visit from 5-10 March, McKinley
met Yasuhisa Shiozaki, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Taro Kono, Senior Vice Minister of Justice, Taro Kimura, Senior
Vice Minister for Defence, and other officials from the Japanese
government. He also met Tadashi Okamura, Chairman of Toshiba, who
is a member of the Director General's Business Advisory Board.

For further information, please call:

Akio Nakayama

Tel: +81 3 3595 2487

E-mail: "mailto:anakayama@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">anakayama@iom.int