The Nippon Foundation, the largest private foundation in Japan, has announced its decision to contribute to the Aids to Navigation Fund, a project proposed by the littoral States and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and unanimously adopted at the IMO Singapore Meeting on 4 to 6 September. The Aids to Navigation Fund is designed to ensure the maintenance and repair of navigational aids in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

During the Singapore Meeting, Mr. Masazumi Nagamitsu, Executive Director of The Nippon Foundation, speaking on behalf of its Chairman, Yohei Sasakawa, stated that The Nippon Foundation is prepared to contribute up to a third of the cost associated with the funding of the project for the first five years. The monies will go into the Aids to Navigation Fund, which is a part of the IMO project entitled, "On the Replacement and Maintenance of Aids to Navigation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore."

The Nippon Foundation took the decision to become the first contributor, in an attempt to promote and realize the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility. The Foundation believes that beneficiaries such as user states, maritime industries and other stakeholders should voluntarily contribute to the safety and environmental protection of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, recognizing the fact that they are the greatest potential polluters of the Straits.

The Nippon Foundation sincerely hopes that this decision will trigger worldwide action towards contributing to the Aids to Navigation Fund, and will mark a significant step toward a new regime in the global maritime industry.

In response to the Foundation's offer, Singapore proposed to organize a preparatory meeting during the Singapore Meeting at which the littoral states and The Nippon Foundation would further discuss the details of the Aids to Navigation Fund, which is expected to begin soon.

The Nippon Foundation has given more than US$125.5 million, assisting to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The 1,000 kilometre long Straits--the world's busiest maritime trade route--serve as the main shipping artery between East Asia and the Middle East, Europe and Africa. In particular, eighty percent of the oil imported to Japan passes through the Straits. The Straits are also the most difficult waterway in the world to navigate, due to a number of dangerous shallows, deceptive cross currents and occasional piracy attacks.

Since 1968, The Nippon Foundation has been creating initiatives to make the waterway safer. In 1981, for example, The Nippon Foundation established a Revolving Fund to assist the littoral States in coping with the damage of a catastrophic oil spill. It also donated three ships: two buoy tender vessels to Malaysia and Indonesia and a training ship to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Furthermore, it has been sponsoring an annual meeting on combating piracy between Asia's experts and national coastguards.


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