Japan - JICA

Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) began in 1954, when it joined the Colombo Plan, an organisation set up in 1950 to assist Asian countries in their socio-economic development.

Whilst receiveing aid itself in the 1950’s from the World Bank for the reconstruction of its own economy, Japan began the process of delivering aid to developing countries. Since that time, Japan’s ODA commitment has increased and expanded yearly. Today, Japan stands as the top donor in the world in terms of net ODA disbursement.

Japan’s Provision of economic cooperation is based on the concepts of ‘humanitarian and moral considerations’ and ‘the recognition of interdependence among nations.’ There are three main categories of ODA: Bilateral Grants (Grant Aid and technical cooperation); Bilateral Loans; and contributions and subscriptions to multilateral donor organisations.
The major portion of bilateral grants is undertaken by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is responsible for the technical cooperation aspect of Japan’s ODA programs, while the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) is in charge of bilateral loans.

Technical cooperation is aimed at the transfer of technology and knowledge that can serve the socioeconomic development of developing countries. JICA carries out a variety of programs to support the nation building of developing countries through such technical cooperation. JICA has about 1,200 staff members working both in Japan and at its more than fifty overseas offices. Their programs include: Technical Cooperation (Training in Japan, Dispatch of Experts, Provision of Equipment, Project-type Technical Cooperation, Development Studies); Dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOVC); Training and Recruitment of Qualified Personnel for Technical Cooperation; Survey and Administration of Grant Aid Programs; Development Investment and Financing; support for Japanese Emigrants; and Disaster Relief.

Contact:

Ms Tomoko Onuki
Japanese Permanent Delegation to the OECD
11 Avenue Hoche
75008 Paris
Tel: +33-1-53-76-6159
Fax: +33-1-45-63-0544
Email: onuki@deljp-ocde.fr