Japan will provide some US$1 billion in aid for children and the youth around the world over the next two years as part of efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Japan's Jiji Press reported Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida as saying.

Japan will "focus on policies targeting the next generation," Kishida said in a speech at a ministerial meeting on the SDGs held at the UN headquarters in New York yesterday.

He explained that his country's assistance for children and the youth will be made particularly in the areas of education, health, disaster risk reduction and gender equality.

In civil-war torn Syria, for example, Japan will provide funds, in cooperation with international organisations, for rehabilitation of schools, capacity building for teachers and raising awareness on health and education for internally displaced people.

In addition, Kishida (photo) said Japan will promote a scheme of the Japan International Cooperation Agency for supporting companies that contribute to achieving the SDGs.

To raise awareness about the SDGs in Japan, Kishida explained that his ministry is working with major Japanese entertainment company Yoshimoto Kogyo Co and Japanese singer-comedian Pikotaro, known for his hit tune "Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen," or "PPAP."

The SDGs were adopted at the 2015 UN General Assembly meeting as targets that all UN member countries should achieve by 2030 for eradicating poverty and disparities.

Also on yesterday, Kishida held talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In exchanging opinions on North Korea's nuclear and missile development programmes, Kishida said it is important to increase pressure on the reclusive state at the moment and sought the cooperation of the United Nations on the matter.

The two agreed to continue to cooperate on the North Korean issue.

Kishida also told Guterres that North Korea now poses a new level of threat and that there is a need for the UN Security Council to swiftly adopt a new resolution to take more severe measures against the country.

He also conveyed Japan's view that China's role will be the key.

When reporters asked for a comment on South Korea's recent proposal to hold military talks with North Korea, Kishida said the Japanese, US and South Korean leaders have confirmed that now is the time to put pressure on Pyongyang.

"Japan will remain committed to bilateral cooperation with South Korea and trilateral ties among the two countries plus the United States," Kishida added.

- Bernama