Japan’s Statement at the 114th World Bank–IMF Development Committee

Japan expressed gratitude for being selected as chair at the 114th World Bank–IMF Development Committee, held in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 15, 2026, and offered condolences to victims of disasters and crises around the world.

Japan said responses were needed to long-term challenges including poverty, health, debt, natural disasters, and supply chain resilience, alongside geopolitical crises and uncertainty in the global economy.

Japan said that diversifying and strengthening critical mineral supply chains would help create quality jobs and support sustainable economic development in developing countries, while also strengthening the global economy.

Japan said aging has major effects on economic growth, labor markets, fiscal sustainability, and social security systems, while appropriate policies can also make it an opportunity for private sector development, growth, job creation, and productivity gains.

Japan said quality-focused procurement that accounts for life-cycle costs can improve development impact and sustainability in borrowing countries.

To strengthen the WBG, Japan cited coordination among institutions under the One WBG approach, knowledge sharing through the Knowledge Bank, better governance, and cooperation among multilateral development banks (MDBs). Japan welcomed the MDB joint statement on supporting supplies of critical minerals and fertilizers, as well as the mutual reliance framework between the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, and called for steady implementation of procurement reform and reforms to strengthen developing countries’ voice.

On critical minerals, Japan established the RISE+ support facility under a trust fund in June 2026, contributed 20 million dollars, and is advancing project development. On health, Japan supported efforts by the World Bank and WHO to promote UHC, coordination between finance and health authorities, and peer learning through the UHC Knowledge Hub. Japan said it plans to hold a high-level forum in Tokyo on December 12, 2026. Japan announced a 40 million dollar contribution to the GFF, which supports maternal and child health and nutrition, and will also support pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and measures to address aging.

On disaster risk reduction, Japan will continue cooperation through the Japan–World Bank Program for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management and the Tokyo Development Learning Center. On energy, Japan is advancing emergency and structural support through Power Asia, supporting the energy transition in South and Southeast Asia through the first DRIVE project with the WBG, and supporting a green ammonia project in India through the first ACCEL project with ADB.

On debt, Japan encouraged all G20 members to join the World Bank’s Debt Data Sharing initiative (DSE) and is advancing efforts in Indonesia to reconcile creditor and debtor data in real time. Japan called for faster debt restructuring, equitable treatment among creditors, and discussion of applying the Common Framework to middle-income countries, and indicated continued support for domestic resource mobilization. For Pacific island countries, Japan is advancing work on a small states strategy and a Pacific Payments Mechanism. In July 2026, Japan provided Solomon Islands with its first yen loan featuring a climate-resilient debt clause.

On Ukraine, Japan pledged continued support and expressed expectations for reforms, including domestic resource mobilization and anti-corruption measures, ahead of the next review of the IMF program. Japan called on the WBG to support future reconstruction through guarantees and project development, and supported assistance to countries affected by conflict and violence. In closing, Japan paid tribute to the efforts of both the WBG and IMF and to the contribution of Akihiko Nishio, who served at the World Bank for more than 30 years.