The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced a US$340 million contribution by Japan, noting that it is the “highest amount that Japan has ever made in 10 years of vigorous support for the Global Fund.” Japan is now making its first payment of US$216 million for its 2012 contribution. Gabriel Jaramillo, General Manager of the Global Fund, said, “Japan has always been a leader in the fight against disease, but this is a great vote of confidence in our commitment to saving lives. We recognize Japan’s determination to see real advances in global health, and we are equally determined to deliver.” The announcement said Japan’s leadership in the Global Fund began when a summit of G8 nations called for the creation of such a global financing organization in 2000 in Okinawa, Japan. The contribution received this week raises Japan’s contributions to the Global Fund to more than US$ 1.6 billion since its creation in 2002.

http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/mediacenter/pressreleases/2012-03-13_Global_Fund_welcomes_USD_340_million_contribution_by_Japan/