Japan withholding Unesco aid over Nanjing Massacre documents

Tokyo

WHAT some see as the yen increasing "politicisation" of Japanese foreign aid has been highlighted by the announcement that Tokyo is withholding financial contributions to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) over issues connected with the "Nanjing Massacre" of 1937.

The move, acknowledged by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at the end of last week, could have a significant impact on Unesco. For the past five years Japan has been the leading donor to the Paris-based UN organisation since the US froze funding to it in 2011 over Palestinian membership.