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To all those affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake:On behalf of IPPF, I extend my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to everyone who has been affected by the Kumamoto earthquake disaster. Especially to those who have lost loved ones, their homes or their livelihoods, suffered injuries, been forced to endure displacement under extreme heat, or faced disruptions in accessing essential health services, including maternal and reproductive healthcare.In recent times, communities across Japan have faced repeated challenges brought about by the impacts of climate breakdown including typhoons, torrential rains, flooding, landslides, and increasingly severe heat. To experience yet another major earthquake amid these ongoing hardships, even as memories of the impacts of the devastating earthquake ten years ago continue to linger, is an unimaginable burden. The shock, grief, uncertainty, and the feeling of asking, “Why again?” are entirely understandable.Many of you may be facing each day with strength and determination while carrying deep concerns for your families, communities, and future. At this difficult time, we want you to know that you are not alone. We stand in solidarity with you and send our heartfelt support and encouragement. We sincerely hope that, in the days ahead, you will find safety, comfort, and renewed hope, and that your communities will be able to recover and rebuild with dignity and resilience.With solidarity,Maria Antonieta AlcaldeDirector General, IPPF＊＊＊How can you donate?In response, JOICFP, our international partner of the IPPF Tokyo Liaison Office, has initiated an emergency fundraising campaign to aid those affected by the disaster, with particular emphasis on women, mothers and children, and underserved communities, and others whose voices might be neglected or whose needs are unmet.IPPF respectfully invites you to support affected communities through the JOICFP donation page below, helping them regain a sense of safety, dignity, and hope as quickly as possible. Your contribution will help provide essential healthcare services, humanitarian assistance, and other critical support to those in need. Thank you for your compassion and generosity.＊＊＊To all those engaged in the emergency response and recovery efforts following the Kumamoto Earthquake:The people affected by the earthquake in Kumamoto are likely living each day with the sudden loss of normalcy, uncertainty about the future, and the immense responsibility of protecting their families and communities. In such circumstances, concerns that are difficult to speak about, as well as physical and emotional needs that may not appear urgent at first glance, are often overlooked or postponed. Yet safeguarding the dignity, health, and well-being of every individual is fundamental to sustainable recovery and rebuilding.We therefore encourage all those involved in emergency response and recovery efforts to listen carefully to the needs and voices of everyone, including women, girls, gender-diverse people, older persons, and people living with disabilities, and those with migrant or foreign roots. This is essential to help create a recovery environment where everybody can safely access the support and services they need.We express our deepest respect and appreciation for your tireless dedication and commitment. IPPF, together with Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP), our liaison office in Japan, remains committed to working alongside all partners to help ensure that the dignity, care and safety of every person affected by this disaster are protected throughout the recovery and reconstruction process.With solidarity,Maria Antonieta AlcaldeDirector General, IPPF 熊本地震の影響を受けた皆々様IPPFは、このたびの地震により、ご家族や大切な方を亡くされた方々、負傷された方々、住まいや職場を失われた方々、また酷暑の中で不自由な避難生活を余儀なくされている方々、さらには妊娠・出産やその他の保健医療サービスの継続的な利用が困難になった方々をはじめ、影響を受けられたすべての皆様に、心よりお悔やみとお見舞いを申し上げます。10年前の地震による傷跡が今なお残る中、度重なる台風や豪雨、洪水や土砂災害、そして年々厳しさを増す酷暑など、地域の皆様は幾重もの困難に向き合ってこられました。そのような中で再び大きな地震に見舞われたことへの驚きや不安、喪失感、そして「なぜまた」というお気持ちは、計り知れるものではありません。今は将来への見通しが持てず、気力を振り絞って一日一日を過ごしておられる方も多いことと存じます。どうか皆様が決してひとりではないことをお伝えしたく、ここに深い連帯の思いと心からの励ましのメッセージをお送りします。一日も早く、安心と希望を取り戻せる日々が訪れることを願っております。＊＊＊熊本地震の緊急・復興支援に携わる皆々様熊本の被災者の皆様は、突然の日常の喪失や将来への不安、そして大切な家族や地域を守ろうとする大きな責任の中で日々を過ごしておられることでしょう。そのような状況では、声に出しづらい困りごとや、一見すると緊急性が低いように見える心身の悩みが後回しにされがちです。しかし、一人ひとりの尊厳と健康を守ることは、地域の復興の基盤そのものです。どうか避難所や地域コミュニティにおいて、女性、少女、高齢者、障がいのある方々、外国にルーツを持つ方々、セクシュアル・マイノリティ（LGBTQI）など、多様な背景をもつ人々の声に耳を傾け、それぞれが安心して必要な支援を受けられる環境づくりにお力添えをいただければ幸いです。皆様の献身的なご尽力に深く敬意を表するとともに、被災されたすべての方々の尊厳、安全、そして健康が守られる復興支援の実現に向けてIPPFとしても日本連絡事務所であるジョイセフとともに取り組んでまいりたいと考えております。IPPF事務局長　マリア・アントニエタ・アルカルデ

From 7-8 May 2026, Maria Antonieta Alcalde, the new Director General of IPPF, visited Japan for the first time since taking office. She held policy consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and paid a courtesy call on Dr Ayano Kunimitsu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.State Minister Kunimitsu stated:“Given my own background as a doctor, I have a particularly deep understanding of the importance of SRHR globally. As Japan prioritises the promotion of global health, particularly UHC, in its foreign policy, Japan will continue to cooperate with IPPF, which has been active at the grassroots level, in various countries to demonstrate evidence and provide more valuable support.”Maria Antonieta Alcalde said:“As the global situation regarding SRHR is changing significantly, and there are fears that the achievements we have built up so far may be undermined, I would like to express my deep gratitude for the support provided to IPPF by Japan, a long-standing key partner and champion of UHC. IPPF and its Member Associations will further strengthen our partnership with Japan to continue protecting the SRHR of women, girls and vulnerable people worldwide.”

IPPF Director General Dr Alvaro Bermejo attended the Parliamentarians’ Meeting on “ICPD30: Leaving No One Behind in an Ageing World”, which was held in Tokyo on 23 April 2024 at the occasion of 50th anniversary of Japan Parliamentarians Federation for Population (JPFP) along with parliamentarians from 20 countries. This meeting provided an excellent opportunity to look back to the 50 years of collaboration between Japan and IPPF as well as the achievements of the ICPD Plan of Action.   Prior to the meeting, Dr Bermejo met the Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa at MOFA on 22 April 2024. At the meeting, Foreign Minister Kamikawa said: “Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and activities to promote gender equality by IPPF and UNFPA are essential for the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). Japan intends to continue proactive efforts to achieve UHC. We look forward to continuing our cooperation. I hope IPPF will further contribute to the objectives of “reaching the most vulnerable first” and “leaving no one behind.”  The activities of IPPF and UNFPA are of critical importance also from the perspective of women peace and security (WPS). Japan will be promoting WPS even more vigorously and in a cross-cutting manner. And would like to strengthen cooperation in this area.” Dr Bermejo said: “IPPF provides SRH services at the grassroots level, particularly for vulnerable groups that are hard to reach by public services. By doing so we contribute to improving the wellbeing of people, particularly women and promoting gender equality and women’s rights, which are the core issues of WPS. IPPF will collaborate with Japan’s efforts to achieve both WPS and population related global commitments. As sexual and reproductive rights become increasingly threatened on the global stage, we must all stand together to advance and protect SRHR, recognising it as fundamental to all other efforts towards gender equality and human rights.”   Photo credits: Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

We are speechless, angry and profoundly saddened by the news that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was brutally gunned down while delivering a public speech in support of his party’s candidate for the forthcoming Japanese election. The assassination of Mr Abe represents a shocking and cowardly act of violence that threatens the core values of humanity which he spent his entire life defending. Our thoughts go to his wife Akie and the people of Japan at this extraordinarily challenging time. During the Tokyo UHC Summit held in December 2017, IPPF delivered a message to Mr Abe saying, "Just as your grandfather was the father of UHC in Japan, we hope that you will continue to lead global UHC and be the father of global UHC". Mr Abe responded to IPPF’s message with passion and energy. He put UHC promotion at the heart of Japan's Global Health Diplomacy Strategy and became a genuine global leader in UHC, becoming an example for other world leaders. He also held the World Assembly for Women (WAW!) in Tokyo with the aim of building a 'society where women would shine' in Japan and worked tirelessly to promote the empowerment of women. Through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) 5 to 7, Mr Abe created global momentum for improved development cooperation in Africa. Dr Alvaro Bermeo, IPPF’s Director General, notes: "IPPF will continue to honour the work of former Prime Minister Abe and advance his commitment to universal health coverage that includes comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. May he rest in peace." Ms Tomoko Fukuda, Regional Director of IPPF East, South-East Asia and Oceania Regional Office, recalls: 'I will never forget the way former Prime Minister Abe spoke with enthusiasm about the realisation of a society where women would shine at the WAW! We still have a long way to go to realise women's empowerment in Japan and around the world, but we will continue to build on the foundation of Mr Abe's efforts." Main photo by Roméo A. on Unsplash

The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) Director General Designate, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, has welcomed a renewed commitment from the Government of Japan at the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum 2017 to sexual and reproductive health services. At the Forum, Japanese Prime Minister Abe announced Japan’s pledge to provide UHC assistance, examples of outcomes of which include provision of 40 million sexual and reproductive health services and prevent 500,000 unintended pregnancies. It forms part of a much wider commitment by Japan to spend $2.9 billion US for health, nutrition, and water and sanitation to promote UHC further. Speaking at the UHC Forum in Tokyo, Dr Bermejo said: “The Tokyo Declaration is welcome news for those that worry that women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy don’t have access to modern methods of contraception. More than 200 million women are in this situation today. I’m optimistic that comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services will be recognised everywhere as a centrepiece of universal health coverage.” Dr Bermejo joined Prime Minister Abe and representatives from other global organisations, including The World Bank, The United Nations, The World Health Organisation and UNICEF in a joint show of support for the commitment made by Japan at the UHC Forum. He added: “With 152 member associations IPPF is the world’s largest network of locally owned, globally connected civil society organisations. We provide reproductive health services in 172 countries. Tokyo is good news, but we need to make it meaningful at country level. That is where, in the end, universal access to sexual and reproductive health services that are stigma-free, good quality and affordable for everyone contributes to universal health coverage.”