MOFA formulates response actions for the recommendations obtained from third-party evaluations and checks the status of their implementation. The following are examples of the implementation status of response actions taken for the recommendations obtained from third-party evaluations in FY2019 (as of September 2021). The FY2019 evaluation reports can be viewed here .

Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the Philippines

Recommendation: Enhancement of Assistance in Mindanao Enabling the Realization of Dividends of Peace

Based on the relations of trust built thus far with stakeholders on the Philippine side and with consideration for safety, support for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) established in February 2019 should be enhanced while also utilizing local organizations and human resources so that relevant parties including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), local governments, Christians, and indigenous people can realize the dividends of peace.

Implementation Status of Response Actions

In order to stabilize the society of Mindanao, Japan is implementing measures such as maintenance/enhancement of equipment in the agricultural and water-supply sectors, enhancement of health and medical services, and support for the reintegration of former soldiers into civil society starting with vocational training. In addition, JICA experts have been dispatched to strengthen the capabilities of the BTA.

Evaluation of Grant Aid for Japanese NGO Projects

Recommendation: Streamlining of Operations by Simplifying Procedures, etc.

Increases in the amount of funding and number of projects have resulted in a greater workload on the MOFA side. Thus, multi-year contracts for projects spanning multiple fiscal years, the simplification of modification procedures, and the assignment of external commissioned staff members should be considered. Measures such as analysis of areas with potential for simplification and factors that promoted or hindered projects through the review of various past reports and utilization of the results of analysis in preliminary consultations and screening should also be considered.

Implementation Status of Response Actions

In FY2020, MOFA worked to streamline operations by revising the approval and instruction processes for contracts, especially overseas ones, and shifting project selection meetings online. The FY2021 operating procedures also abolished the use of seals in nearly all situations except contracts. In the future, further efforts to streamline operations will include sharing problems within the implementation process and their solutions among relevant parties, as well as compiling and sharing issues that will benefit the NGO side.

Educational assistance project in Hlaingbwe Township, Kayin State, Myanmar
(Evaluation of Grant Aid for Japanese NGO Projects)

Evaluation of ODA to Promote Women’s Empowerment

Recommendation: Formulation of Flagship Gender-Responsive Projects for Japan

Japan should formulate flagship gender-responsive projects that fully showcase the strengths of its ODA in order to adequately demonstrate its gender-related contributions to partner countries and the international community. Appealing achievements are useful for further coordination with other donors and can be expected to lead to stronger cooperative ties, as well as the enhancement of Japan’s support for gender-related issues.

Implementation Status of Response Actions

Japan has supported initiatives from a gender-based perspective including the creation of a Gender Action Plan as part of a project to upgrade transportation in Dhaka, Bangladesh, based on Japan’s experience with mass rapid transit projects in India.

As examples of public relations, Japan has used the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) held in December 2020 in Vietnam along with MOFAled webinars as opportunities to highlight projects such as the protection of women in conflict-affected regions; support for economic empowerment; reinforcement of the capabilities of police, military, and judicial personnel to prevent sexual violence in conflict; and support for female police officers in Afghanistan. At other international conferences and United Nations meetings, Japan frequently reports on its assistance to the judicial system and police in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a project supported by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC), as a positive example. The Government of Japan has also shared its gender-related initiatives through the JICA website on the occasions of International Day of the Girl Child and International Women’s Day.

“Issyk-Kul Brand” (regional branding effort) in the Kyrgyz Republic Women working in a felt workshop
(Evaluation of ODA to Promote Women’s Empowerment)

Evaluation of the SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) Program

Recommendation: Establishment of a Common Understanding of "Social and Practical Impacts" and Long-Term Follow-up Mechanisms

Even though a definition and direction are provided for social impacts, even now, ten years after the establishment of the program, there is not a sufficient common understanding of targets to achieve within the duration of SATREPS projects, which makes it difficult to work out concrete measures for promotion. Going forward, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and JICA need to establish a common understanding of the specific social impacts targeted in their respective project materials. There is also a need for long-term follow-up that surveys the effectiveness of SATREPS projects several years after their completion and extracts high-level lessons by sector and region.

Implementation Status of Response Actions

Targets and concrete examples of social impacts are currently under discussion among the relevant agencies. These are expected to be settled within FY2021.

With regard to long-term follow-up, JST will continue to conduct follow-up evaluations (surveys) of SATREPS projects. In addition, JICA plans to conduct a review of SATREPS projects in FY2021 aimed at classification by research category and extraction of lessons from projects that were highly effective for development. The relevant agencies will continue discussions while utilizing existing frameworks in order to extract lessons for the overall SATREPS program.

Non-Project Grant Aid to Peru in FY2013

Recommendation: Expanded Disclosure of Information on the Nature of Cooperation

The objectives and background of this project are not clearly stated in relevant materials published by MOFA and the Embassy of Japan in Peru.

This makes it difficult for the Japanese public to understand why the project was necessary, what was provided where, or whether the contents of the project and amount of aid were appropriate. Information disclosure is needed to ensure public accountability, along with efforts to promote public understanding.

Implementation Status of Response Actions

A link was posted from the website of the Embassy of Japan in Peru to the relevant section of the MOFA website (evaluation reports already published). MOFA has also ensured that details such as the objectives and background of the program, nature and targets of cooperation, and monetary amounts are clearly stated in press releases when implementing Grant Aid for Economic and Social Development Programs in Peru.

Provided vehicles used as official vehicles by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru