On 20 August 2025, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the WIPO Japan Office (WJO) held a consultation with Japanese companies in Yokohama, bringing together representatives from UNFPA headquarters, UNFPA country offices in Africa, and Japanese companies.
The meeting aimed to share concrete needs that UNFPA faces on the ground in addressing pressing health challenges in Africa, and to link these needs with advanced technologies and intellectual property (IP) seeds held by Japanese companies. Opening the session, Dr. Sennen Hounton, Regional Director of UNFPA’s West & Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO), emphasized that public-private collaboration is more important than ever to save lives and secure the future for young people. He expressed his hope that the dialogue would serve as an opportunity to generate innovative ideas inspired by the “honebuto” spirit. Mr. Tomoki Sawai, Director of WIPO Japan Office, highlighted the role of IP as a “passport” to global technology dissemination and explained the importance of connecting African needs with Japanese technology seeds. Mr. Masafumi Yamamoto, Japan Ambassador of WIPO GREEN, underscored the significance of leveraging Japanese technologies through WIPO GREEN to address international challenges, expressing expectations that the dialogue would be an excellent platform to match African needs with appropriate technologies.
African country needs and case studies
Ms. Josiane Yaguibou, UNFPA Representative in Madagascar and Country Director for Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles, presented the persistently high maternal mortality rates in Madagascar and Nigeria, stressing the indispensable need for technological support such as medical devices and drones, as well as digital tools, sanitation infrastructure, and education.
Mr. Koffi Kouame, UNFPA Representative, Ethiopia, introduced the partnership with ITOCHU Corporation, which contributed to women’s social and economic empowerment through local production of absorbent sanitary shorts. He highlighted support areas including medical devices, mobile clinics, clean water and electricity facilities.
Mr. Mady Biaye, UNFPA Representative, Democratic Republic of the Congo, reported improvements in healthcare delivery in remote and conflict-affected areas and announced expansion plans contributing to education, gender equality, and peacebuilding.
Mr. Klaus Simoni Pedersen, Chief, UNFPA Public Funding and Financing Branch, emphasized the importance of partnerships with the private sector and innovative financing.
Japanese companies’ initiatives
The dialogue also showcased concrete initiatives by Japanese companies addressing challenges in Africa.
Kurita Water Industries Ltd. shared cases of water resource management through water treatment technologies and international partnerships.
KONICA MINOLTA, INC. introduced products improving healthcare access, such as wireless X-ray systems, and highlighted activities like tree planting and school donations in South Africa.
Daikin Industries, Ltd. presented air conditioning business activities, technical training programs, and forest conservation efforts, while emphasizing the importance of public-private collaboration through WIPO GREEN.
Unicharm Corporation highlighted examples of hygiene product production and provision, business expansion plans in West and Southern Africa, and contributions to improving women’s livelihoods, education, and employment opportunities.
LIXIL Corporation discussed sanitation business initiatives, local manufacturing bases, and the importance of collaboration with partners through IP licensing.
IP*SEVA presented support linking technologies and needs across regions.
Through these presentations, participants shared a wide range of initiatives including local production of hygiene products, provision of medical devices, use of digital technologies, and implementation of mobility and water resource technologies, demonstrating tangible contributions to addressing health and sanitation challenges across Africa.
Through this dialogue, new possibilities for collaboration between UNFPA and Japanese companies were identified, providing momentum for future joint initiatives. WIPO Japan Office will continue to contribute to solving global challenges through intellectual property and to promote the realization of a sustainable future society.