The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), based in Norway, has announced that the Government of Japan has pledged $300 million for CEPI’s ambitious global plan to reduce the risk of future pandemics and epidemics.

The pledge reaffirms the Government of Japan’s commitment to CEPI and the principle of equitable access to vaccines as a cornerstone of global health security.

CEPI’s plan will reduce the risk posed by epidemics and pandemics by developing vaccines for known disease threats (such as Lassa fever, MERS and Nipah virus), and build on the scientific advances made during COVID-19 to prepare in advance for ‘Disease X’- an unknown pathogen with pandemic potential.

As one of CEPI’s largest investors, Japan has been a pivotal force in pandemic preparedness and the COVID-19 response. Over the past two years Japan’s support for multilateral efforts to vaccinate the world, including COVAX which CEPI co-leads, has been critically important.