TOKYO: The Japanese government said Tuesday that it will resume its funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA.

It determined that the UN body drew up appropriate organizational reform measures, in response to allegations that some UNRWA staff members were involved in Islamic militant group Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel last October, which led to Japan suspending funding.

Tokyo is set to provide approximately 35 million dollars earmarked in its supplementary budget for fiscal 2023.

“(The UNRWA) has advanced governance improvement measures and begun new steps to manage the risk of” possible misuse of Japanese funds, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters in parliament. “We will lift the freeze on our financial contributions and provide assistance while confirming the appropriateness” of the way the funds are used, she added.

In determining whether to resume funding, the Japanese government has closely monitored whether UNRWA can strengthen its governance.

Kamikawa met with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini in Tokyo on Thursday, confirming with him the organization’s reform efforts, including securing transparency in activities. In the talks, the two agreed to make final arrangements to resume Japan’s UNRWA funding.

Japan suspended UNRWA funding in January following the Hamas-linked allegations, and had demanded that the UNRWA strengthen its governance.

JIJI Press