Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to Brazil

Chief Evaluator	SATO Kan Hiroshi Chief Senior Researcher, Research Operations Department, IDE-JETRO
Advisor	KONTA Ryohei Area Studies Center Deputy Director, Latin American Studies Group, IDE-JETRO
Consultant	Japan Techno Co., Ltd.
Evaluation Period	FY2009 to FY2019
Period of the Evaluation Study	August 2020 to March 2021
Field Survey Country	Brazil (remote survey conducted online)

Background, Objectives, and Scope of the Evaluation

There is a longstanding relationship of close friendship between Brazil and Japan, with 2020 marking 125 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Cooperation has developed in a wide range of fields since the Japan-Brazil bilateral relationship was positioned as a strategic global partnership in 2014. Since the start of ODA to Brazil in 1959, Japan has closely engaged with issues faced by the country and supported its sustainable growth in a variety of fields including natural resources, medical care, public safety, and infrastructure, making Brazil one of Japan’s major ODA partner countries in Latin America. With the objectives of ODA evaluation—improving ODA management and ensuring public accountability—in mind, this evaluation is aimed at assessing Japan’s assistance policies toward Brazil since FY2009, with a particular focus on the last five years, and producing recommendations as well as drawing lessons for the formulation and implementation of assistance policies toward Brazil in the future.

Summary of Evaluation Results

● Development Viewpoints

(1) Relevance of Policies

Japan’s policy of cooperation in Brazil is in line with its high-level ODA policies, namely, the ODA Charter (2003) and Development Cooperation Charter (2015), as well as with the national multiyear development plan of Brazil (Plano Plurianual or “PPA”). There is also consistency with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are international priority issues, and with the directionality of support from other donors in Brazil. Furthermore, policies are formulated primarily in areas where Japan has a comparative advantage, namely, (1) disaster prevention, (2) governance (cooperation with local police), (3) environmental conservation, (4) water resources (non-revenue water management), and (5) healthcare (maternal and child healthcare).
(Evaluation Result: Highly Satisfactory = A)

(2) Effectiveness of Results

The amount of Japan’s ODA to Brazil is on a downward trend due to Brazil’s classification as an uppermost-middleincome country. However, in this huge country with diverse assistance needs, support is being provided with the appropriate quality and timing to projects in three priority areas: 1) urban issues and management of environmental and disaster risks, 2) improvement of the investment environment, and 3) triangular cooperation. Results have been achieved through support centered on the establishment of eco-friendly cities, environmental conservation, and disaster prevention in the field of urban issues and management of environmental and disaster risks; by taking on the role of a bridge for private partnerships in improvement of the investment environment; and by continuing unique forms of cooperation in the field of triangular cooperation.
(Evaluation Result: Satisfactory = B)

(3) Appropriateness of Processes

Japan’s Country Development Cooperation Policy for Brazil was formulated based on appropriate consultations between officials from both countries, and the Rolling Plan is updated every year. In terms of the implementation process, the establishment of implementation structures, the assessment of needs, the implementation of individual projects based on priority areas of support for Brazil, monitoring, and publicity are all conducted appropriately.
(Evaluation Result: Satisfactory = B)

(Note) Ratings: Highly Satisfactory = A; Satisfactory = B; Partially Unsatisfactory = C; Unsatisfactory = D

● Diplomatic Viewpoints

(1) Diplomatic Importance

There have been continual visits by key figures from both Japan and Brazil since 2009. Japan has also made efforts to strengthen economic relations with Latin America due to the region’s potential as a production/export base, major resource supply area, and promising market in the global economy. Japan has been pursuing stronger ties in line with the three guiding principles for policy toward Latin America— Joint Progress (strengthening of economic relations), Joint Leadership (coordination in the international community), and Joint Inspiration (promotion of human interaction and cultural/athletic exchanges)—since 2014 and with the three “Enhanced Connectivities” with Latin America (economy, values, and wisdom) since 2019. Japan and Brazil have also coordinated and cooperated on many shared international issues including the environment and climate change, disarmament and nonproliferation, UN Security Council reforms, North Korea, and the South China Sea and East China Sea. For these reasons, ODA to Brazil is diplomatically important.

(2) Diplomatic Impact

Japan and Brazil have a record of continuous and active exchange, and there are many cases in which Japan’s support has contributed to the promotion of amicable relations between the two countries. Brazil has also become remarkably active in the international community through involvement in areas such as UN Security Council reforms, trade, the environment, and disarmament and nonproliferation. Japan is therefore endeavoring to build cooperative ties with Brazil. In terms of the UN Security Council reforms in particular, close cooperative ties between the two countries are crucial for realizing the reforms due to their shared position as candidates for permanent membership on the Council. Furthermore, as an indicator of stronger economic relations, the number of offices of Japanese enterprises advancing into Brazil is on an upward trend, and ODA is thought to have assisted this advancement.

Recommendations Based on Evaluation Results

(1) Enhancing the Strategic Nature of Development Cooperation

The priority areas for development set out in Japan’s Country Development Cooperation Policy for Brazil are fields in which Japan can make use of its high-level capabilities and expertise, while also leveraging its past track record of cooperation. In terms of policymaking, the relevance of cooperation needs to be assessed from long-term, strategic, and global perspectives in response to policies on the Brazilian side. It is also important to render this policymaking process more visible to the Japanese people. At the same time, Japan should more strategically utilize existing cooperation in areas such as the implementation of ODA loans appropriate for a highincome country, scientific and technical cooperation, vocational training to meet the needs of the digital society, coordination with the “Nikkei” community (Brazilians of Japanese origin), and collaboration with the Brazilian community on initiatives that will benefit both Japan and Brazil, with a focus on inbound tourism and regional development.

(2) Strengthening Partnerships through Support for Brazil’s Transition from a Recipient to a Donor Based on Triangular Cooperation

Brazil believes that its geopolitical role in the Latin American region and its ability to cooperate with less developed countries will allow it to play a unique role among developedcountry donors and strengthen equal partnerships. In the future, Japan should position triangular cooperation at the core of its assistance to Brazil and seek out as well as build new forms of cooperation aimed at strengthening partnerships through support for Brazil’s transition from a recipient country to a donor country in Latin America.

(3) Enhanced Dialogue among Countries Involved in Triangular Cooperation

In order to make more effective use of the triangular cooperation framework as a priority area for Japan’s ODA, an overall policy for the program should be formulated and a mechanism considered for incorporating it into individual projects. Also, a system should be established for regular and continuous monitoring and evaluation among the three countries, including the beneficiary country.

(4) Promotion of the Resolution of Social Issues through Public-Private Partnerships

Japan should pursue active and crosscutting involvement in existing frameworks for government-private sector dialogue and cooperation between Japan and Brazil and apply new Brazilian technologies that do not exist in Japan to needs in Brazil. This can be expected to promote human resource development, efficiency improvements at manufacturing sites, the construction and improvement of infrastructure, and the elimination of disparities, as well as to contribute greatly to the resolution of social issues and development of business in areas covered by the SDGs.

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