Some, it seems, give and some, it appears, take away

A

ustralia’s politicians it seems have dedicated themselves to spending less on overseas aid, while Japan appears to have taken a quite different approach.

Japan's Shinzo Abe - his country has
 responded with nearly $600 million
 to help Pacific island
nations combat climate change.

The ABC reports: “Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged $578 million in aid to Pacific island nations to help them combat climate change and natural disasters.

“Mr Abe made the pledge as leaders of 14 Pacific island nations gathered for a two-day meeting, which began on Friday in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, to discuss their development needs.

"As a pledge of the Japanese government, we will provide no less than 55 billion yen ($578 million) to you in the upcoming three years ... in order to foster resilient capabilities that will not be defeated by climate change or disasters," he told the meeting.”

Further the ABC reports that, “The seventh round of Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) came as host Japan attempts to boost its profile in the Pacific, at a time of growing Chinese economic and political influence in the region.

“The meeting, held every three years, was also attended by senior officials from Australia, New Zealand and the United States,” is says in a story.

Read the ABC story - “Japan to give $578 million to Pacific islands to fight climate change and natural disasters”.