The Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific assesses Japan’s distinctive development assistance programs and their significant contributions to Asian countries.
By Kara Hennigan
The University Of Sydney’s Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific (RIAP), in conjunction with the Japanese Ministry of Finance has released its report on Japanese Official Development Assistance in the Asian Region.
The book contributes to the international debate about Official Development Assistance (ODA) by assessing Japan’s unique role as an ODA donor. Its uniqueness is attributed to Japan’s ODA philosophy and practices that has been markedly different from that of other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member states. It is also the only OECD member to have been an aid recipient and a major aid donor. “Japan’s financial commitment to ODA has been second to none: by the end of the 1990’s Japan was the world’s largest ODA provider, with most of its funding targeting economic and social development in East and Southeast Asia.”
The report examines Japanese ODA in Asia by first discussing the origins of Japanese attitudes towards development assistance, such as its belief in the effectiveness of ODA loans rather than grants as well as its use of the private sector to encourage development. This is due to Japan’s experience as a recipient of successful ODA, following World War II. Secondly, because Japan’s aid differs from the assistance of other OECD nations, the report offers an evaluation of Japanese ODA compared to the latest international thinking on ODA and development. Finally, Japanese ODA is examined in Indonesia, China, Viet Nam, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand over key areas such as agriculture, education, infrastructure development and critical industries.
Contact: Leslie Williams
Phone: 02 9351 8537
Email: [email protected]
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