Initiatives to Strengthen Security

We at JICA have been making efforts to strengthen the following security measures, based on the Final Report of the Council on Safety Measures for International Cooperation Projects (August 30, 2016).

We are increasing the number of contracts with outside experts and security companies, among others, that have expertise in regional conditions, crisis management, and security analysis, as we work to further diversify our information sources.

In addition to gathering information from local security authorities, we are also working to strengthen cooperation with international organizations operating in developing countries, including the sharing of information among our overseas bases.

We are strengthening the sharing of security information and our emergency contact system with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Anyone involved in a JICA project should make sure to complete “Overseas Travel Registration (Tabi-Regi)” before embarking on travel or assignments, and to submit their residence notice after taking up their assignment.

Note: The “Tabi-Regi” is operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When people traveling or taking a business trip overseas register their travel dates, destination, and contact information, etc., they can receive the latest overseas security information for their destination and email notifications in the event of an emergency.

JICA conducts thorough emergency contact drills based on the emergency contact network at all overseas bases.

Those who have a contractual relationship with JICA have the security measures established by JICA in each country (rules around travel to and conduct at project sites), based on the local security situation, explained to them at the contract negotiation stage, and are requested to comply.

A contact point has been established for inquiries about country-specific security measures—information that is also broadly made available upon request to persons from companies and NGOs, etc., that are involved in international cooperation projects, even if they do not have a contractual relationship with JICA.

Before people with JICA contracts are dispatched to countries with high threat levels, the Security Management Department provides a briefing on local security information and codes of conduct.

JICA’s security training and drills are being expanded, both in Japan and overseas, to those companies and NGOs, etc. that are widely involved in international cooperation projects.

We conduct surveys to check the security situation at the sites of projects currently underway, and are working to strengthen security measures at these sites.

We are working to strengthen protection at JICA offices and dormitories, etc., including the deployment of bulletproof vehicles to high-threat countries.

JICA conducts mental health care training and stress tests, etc., and is also working to increase the number of overseas healthcare administrators.

We have recently established overseas travel insurance (Buji Kaeru Pack—“The Come Home Safe Pack”) for JICA personnel, including those involved in financial cooperation projects and accompanying family members.

We have expanded the groups for which support can be provided to arrange emergency evacuation flights from countries in which civil war etc. has broken out to include those involved in financial cooperation projects.

In addition to the new appointment of a Director of Security Management, JICA’s Security Management Office of the General Affairs Department has been upgraded to the Security Management Department with an expanded number of personnel, as the agency works to strengthen security measures and raise awareness of crisis management.

We are working to strengthen on-site security measures and to increase awareness of crisis management by expanding the number of both employees dedicated to security measures and planning inspectors at overseas offices in high-threat countries.