Follow-up ODA Evaluation Results
The Implementation Status of Response Actions Taken for the Recommendations of Evaluations in FY2021
The following is the implementation status of response actions taken for the recommendations obtained from third-party evaluations in FY2021 (as of April 2023). (Link to the FY2021 evaluation reports)
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Recommendation 1: Supporting Timor-Leste’s Economic Takeoff through “High-Quality” ODA Provision
In the field of disaster prevention, Japan is providing support that leverages its disaster risk reduction technologies and knowhow. For example, Japan is assisting in reconstruction after the large-scale floods that hit Timor-Leste in April 2021 as well as supporting prevention efforts, through the Japanese grant aid projects “The Project for the Improvement of Equipment for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery” and “The Programme for Urgent Rehabilitation of Flood-damaged Infrastructures.” It is also making efforts to restore flood-damaged facilities and create attractive, disaster-resilient towns under the technical cooperation project of capacity development for flood risk reduction. Japan is also providing full support to the Government of Timor-Leste to establish a disaster risk reduction working group, and will continue to put effort into technical cooperation, including providing support to the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology of the National University of Timor-Lorosa’e, with a view to ensuring the sustainable utilization of the outcomes of grant aid projects.
Recommendation 2: Expanding Support for Environmental Infrastructure in Anticipation of Timor-Leste’s Graduation from Least-Developed Country (LDC) Status
If and when Timor-Leste meets the requirements to graduate from LDC status, it is worth considering support with highly concessional Japanese ODA loans (yen loans) using the Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP). However, Timor-Leste has yet to graduate from LDC status, and therefore is not applicable for STEP while the Government of Timor-Leste has high expectations of new Japanese ODA loans. Currently, a national road development project is the only ODA loan project in Timor-Leste, and Japan will continue to consider the possibility of providing new ODA loans, taking into account Timor-Leste’s future development, debt sustainability, and issues with the development of the Greater Sunrise oil fields. At the local level, Japan will examine the needs of the Government of Timor-Leste including ODA loans by continuously participating in meetings with the development partners held on a quarterly basis and discussions with the Government of Timor-Leste.
With regard to environmental infrastructure, “Promoting Green Transformation in the Pacific Region towards Net-Zero and Climate-resilient Development” was launched in March 2023 in cooperation with an international agency.
Recommendation 3: Fostering Professionals and Industrial Workers in Cooperation with the Technical Intern Training Program
The in-principle admission of Timor-Leste as a member of ASEAN was agreed at the ASEAN Summit held in November 2022, and Timor-Leste aims to officially become a member in 2023. In anticipation of Timor-Leste’s official admission to ASEAN, Japan will strengthen support for human resource development. Starting from 2023, Japan plans to commence the dispatch of five to seven technical intern trainees (in the field of agriculture) to Japan.
Recommendation 4: Becoming a Preferred Country for Investment through Environmental Improvement and Promotion of Tourism Resources
With a view to diversifying the industries of Timor-Leste, Japan is dispatching agricultural development advisors and industrial development advisors and conducting human resource development activities in the fields of agriculture and fisheries. It is also continuing to provide legislative assistance through technical cooperation. With regard to support that contributes to the diversification of industries, Japan currently dispatches experts to provide support on laws and regulations, including basic laws for industries, to the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry. It is also implementing pilot projects toward future cooperation in the fisheries sector.
Also, the Ministry of Justice of Japan has long been providing support to Timor-Leste for the development of legal systems, and the Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste is supporting these efforts.
As for support in the area of governance, Japan, in cooperation with UNDP, is supporting the COVID-Resilient Elections in Timor-Leste (CORE-TL) aimed at providing assistance toward the implementation of free and fair elections even during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this way, it has contributed to the implementation of the presidential elections in 2022 and parliamentary elections in 2023.
Recommendation 5: Contributing to Overarching Policy Covering the Entire Infrastructure Sector to Create “Resilient Infrastructure”
In the field of infrastructure, Japan has strengthened support toward the development of a disaster risk reduction infrastructure in response to the large-scale floods that occurred in 2021, as well as the improvement of Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport. Japan is also continuing with cooperation through road infrastructure quality management advisors. In the grant aid project “The Project for the Improvement of Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport,” Japan is cooperating with Australia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to renovate the airport. Japan also exchanges views with the relevant organizations, including the World Bank and ADB, by participating regularly in donor roundtable meetings in the respective fields, including infrastructure, as well as holding JICA-sponsored seminars that other donors are invited to attend (on topics such as disaster risk reduction, road maintenance and management, and port development).
In Timor-Leste, Japan holds regular meetings with major donor countries and international organizations in order to overview the infrastructure sector, and engages in coordination to avoid project overlaps and secure synergistic effects. In particular, Japan cooperates closely with Australia in the field of critical infrastructure such as airports. In addition, in March 2023, Japan launched a program to improve local social infrastructure under a collaborative framework with international organizations.
Recommendation 6: Strategically Expanding Japan’s ODA to Strengthen Timor-Leste’s Governance Capacity
Taking into account Timor-Leste’s geopolitical importance, Japan will continue to consider project formulation that contributes to strengthening its governance capacity.
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the Republic of Peru
Recommendation 1: Maintaining the Basic Policy of “Contributing to Sustainable Economic Development”
In the next revision of the Country Development Cooperation Policy, Japan plans to conduct a review on the appropriateness of maintaining the basic policy of contributing to sustainable economic development, based on the recommendations and while paying attention to consistency with the Development Cooperation Charter revised in 2023.
Recommendation 2: “Selection and Concentration”: Continued Assistance through Various ODA Schemes in Three Priority Areas
The JICA Country Analysis Paper (JCAP) revised in March 2022 sets out the policy of taking an economy-wide approach without limiting assistance to agriculture in the rural regions, placing an emphasis on addressing disparity between the urban and rural regions. In the next revision of the Country Development Cooperation Policy, Japan plans to conduct a review on the need to continue providing support in the three priority areas of improving economic and social infrastructure and addressing disparity, environmental measures, and disaster risk reduction measures, based on the recommendations and while paying attention to consistency with the new Development Cooperation Charter revised in FY2023.
Recommendation 3: Strengthening Cooperation with the Funds and Activities of Diverse Entities
Japan worked to strengthen capacity in operation, maintenance, and management technologies for Fukuoka-method final disposal sites built through the FY2012 Japanese ODA loan project, “Solid Waste Management Project” (Phase 1, implemented in cooperation with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)). To contribute to improving waste management through this, a new technical cooperation project to strengthen capacity for the operation of final disposal sites was adopted in FY2023. In February 2023, Japan signed an Exchange of Notes on the project “Ensuring Protection, Humanitarian Assistance and Socio-economic Inclusion for Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants” (grant amount of 486 million yen), as a grant aid project for Brazil and Peru in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Japan will continue to actively pursue possible cooperation with international organizations and other actors, as well as tie-ups with effective ODA modalities.
Recommendation 4: Necessity of Continuing Technical Cooperation that Leads to Long-Term Human Resource Development
The project, “Establishment of an Alert System for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, the Banana and Plantain Wilt Pathogen, and Mitigation Strategy of the Pathogen” (Research institutions: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina), was adopted as a Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) project for Peru in FY2022. Japan will continue to implement projects that contribute to deepening government-academia cooperation. Japan will also begin approaching actors in the startup ecosystem with an eye to industry-academia-government cooperation, while promoting human resource development through the SDGs Global Leader Program as well as cooperation between private-sector actors in Japan and Peru through “TSUBASA” and public-private partnership projects.
Recommendation 5: Maintaining Cooperation with Communities of Japanese Descendants
The “Project to Strengthen Cooperation with Nikkei/Japanese Descendants Society and Schools for Socioeconomic Development” has been adopted as a new technical cooperation project for FY2023 (third-country training). With the Asociación Peruano Japonesa (APJ) and Colegio La Unión (a school for Nikkei/Japanese descendants) as the implementing agencies, Japan aims to promote the acquisition of techniques and learning methods related to Japanese language instruction, through initiatives such as conducting seminars on Japanese language instruction that members of Nikkei organizations in Central and South American countries are invited to attend. Making use of the opportunity of the acceptance of the FY2023 Nikkei Social Cooperation Study Group, Japan will also continue to pursue possibilities for partnering with the Nikkei/Japanese descendants society, including promoting cooperation in the private sector via (or in cooperation with) the Nikkei/Japanese descendant society.
Recommendation 6: Responding to Infrastructure Needs in Consideration of Peru’s Natural Environment and the Impact of Climate Change
As the most recent infrastructural support, Japan signed an Exchange of Notes on the “Solid Waste Management Project (Phase 2)” in March 2022. This project involves the implementation of civil engineering works such as soil covering and the installation of gas venting facilities, water drainage facilities, etc., in order to close down open dumping sites that have been in use so far in various regional cities in Peru, where hygienic landfill and solid waste disposal sites have been newly built under Phase 1 of the same project. Phase 2 is currently ongoing with consideration for appropriate implementation in a manner that is environmentally and socially friendly.
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the Republic of Malawi
Recommendation 1: Further Strengthening of Measures that Contribute to the Entry of Japanese SMEs and NGOs, and the Improvement of the Investment Environment
In their business expansion into Malawi, overseas companies are faced with issues such as institutional barriers, as well as deterioration of the macroeconomic situation and insufficient foreign exchange reserves in Malawi, that lead to a shortage of gasoline and general consumer goods along with soaring prices. As such, they continue to be forced to adopt a cautious stance. However, investigations into the entry barriers to investment and business expansion by Japanese companies and NGOs are currently ongoing.
With regard to the selection criteria for the ABE Initiative, Japan continues to carry out appropriate selection from a broad perspective that includes the private sector.
Recommendation 2: Establishing a “Human Resources Bank” (Tentative Name) for Malawian Students and Trainees (who Have Studied or Are Studying in Japan) to Strengthen Their Network Building and Utilization
Japan is conducting exchanges of opinions, leveraging on former Malawian students who have studied in Japan. In addition to disseminating information on Japan’s initiatives through those who feel a strong affinity with Japan, Japan is also considering promoting such activities of alumni associations as networking events.
Japan continues to plan programs such as networking events related to the ABE Initiative, and activity reports by trainees who have returned to Malawi as well as returnee report sessions and networking events.
Recommendation 3: Strategic and Continuous Utilization of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) and Core Human Resources on the Malawi Side
In selecting senior JOCVs and experts for Malawi, JOCV experience is taken into consideration for posts in which former JOCV experience in Malawi is assessed to be useful.
Recommendation 4: Strengthening Public Relations Strategies Aimed at the People of Malawi
The JICA Malawi Office is currently trying to identify former Malawian trainees and international students who have strong communication skills and considering the possibility of requesting them to disseminate information through social media and other channels.
Japan is reviewing its approach to effective information dissemination on a case-by-case basis, including the utilization of influencers and artists. There are plans to utilize PR consultants from April 2023, and it envisages using musicians as influencers.
Evaluation on Japan’s Education Cooperation Policy
● Recommendations on Policy Content of Japan’s Education Cooperation
Recommendation 1: Prioritizing Designated Priority Areas
At the 16th Japan International Education Cooperation Groups Meeting held in August 2022, this evaluation was introduced and opinions were exchanged on Japan’s response to the matters recommended. Japan will continue to exchange opinions with the relevant parties through the next International Education Cooperation Groups Meeting and other fora.
Recommendation 2: Setting Periods and Goals
Japan plans to exchange opinions with the relevant parties through the next International Education Cooperation Groups Meeting and other fora.
Recommendation 3: Contents of the Policies (Purpose, specification of target fields, promoting collaboration with other actors and entities, etc.)
In JICA’s basic education sector, JICA’s Strategies for Global Development Issues were formulated in line with the policies of the Japanese government, and cluster strategies were drawn up in March 2023, such as the detailed “Cluster for learning improvement through the development of quality textbooks and learning materials” and “Cluster for education improvement through community-wide collaboration (widely known as “School for All”).” In these ways, the purposes of cooperation and the target fields, as well as details on monitoring and cooperation with other development partners such as bilateral and multilateral partners, were clearly documented.
● Recommendations on Policy Formulation and Implementation Process of Japan’s Education Cooperation
Recommendation 4: Effective Use of Existing Platforms in Policy Formulation
In December 2022, an exchange of opinions on the revision of the education cooperation policy was held with JICA. It was held between MOFA and JICA, ahead of discussion with universities, the relevant ministries and agencies, and experts, on the revision to this policy at the next International Education Cooperation Groups Meeting.
Recommendation 5: Effective Use of Existing Platforms in the Inspection of Policy Implementation
At the International Education Cooperation Groups Meeting in August 2022, this evaluation was shared and an initial exchange of opinions was conducted on matters such as the implementation of recommendations.
JICA established a new working-level Education Cooperation Platform in September 2023, incorporating the following four functions: (1) sharing and co-creation of knowledge; (2) communication on public goods; (3) creation of spaces for the discovery and nurturing of human resources, and for their activities; and (4) concrete cooperation. There are plans to convene meetings of the platform every year in 2023 and beyond.
Recommendation 6: Incorporation of MEXT’s Knowhow and Cooperation
In December 2022, an exchange of opinions on the revision of the education cooperation policy was held with JICA. There are also plans to exchange opinions with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in 2023 and beyond.
JICA cooperates with MEXT in light of the importance of information sharing and consultations toward new initiatives including cooperating with universities that bear Japan’s name, such as the Egypt Japan University of Science & Technology (E-JUST) and Vietnam-Japan University (VJU), on schemes other than ODA, ensuring consistency with science and technology policies, and global brain circulation. In addition, projects in the fields that face challenges in securing resources within Japan, such as technical colleges, are formulated while engaging in prior consultations.
Recommendation 7: Communication from Leaders and Continued Dissemination of Information to ODA Implementing Agencies
Japan will publicize the policy after its revision at an appropriate timing, in the same way as before, and consider sharing information continuously within MOFA and with diplomatic missions overseas as well as JICA.
Recommendation 8: Diplomatic Perspective in the Monitoring of Individual Projects
Japan verifies consistency between its policies and individual ODA projects from the stage of their selection. In projects that are subject to evaluation in FY2022 in the field of education, there are also evaluation cases that recommend implementing agencies in the partner country to monitor the activities carried out at schools, collect data, and publicize the effects of the activities to society. Hence, evaluations that are conscious of diplomatic importance and ripple effect are conducted.
Evaluation of Japan’s Grant Aid to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Economic and Social Development Programme) in FY2017
● Recommendations for the Project
Recommendation 1: Early Implementation of On-site Monitoring by the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka
On February 17, 2023, the Ambassador and embassy staff traveled to Trincomalee and held a handover ceremony, as the COVID-19 pandemic had calmed down and the fuel supply situation affected by the economic crisis had improved. They confirmed that the equipment supplied was operating in good condition.
Recommendation 2: Study of Strategies to Support Development Around the Port of Trincomalee Area
In the northeastern region of Sri Lanka, in addition to assistance for Trincomalee Port, Japan has also been providing support in the fields of health, agriculture, and environment. After Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in April 2022, Japan has provided assistance to the whole of Sri Lanka to address the shortage of necessities, such as food, medical supplies, fertilizers, and fuel.
From the viewpoint of contributing to future economic reforms by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it is also important to provide support that promotes quality growth with consideration for inclusion. As such, Japan will continue to review the support to Sri Lanka’s northeastern region including Trincomalee Port, based on IMF reforms and the local economic situation.
● Recommendations for the Grant Aid (Economic and Social Development Programme) by MOFA
Recommendation 3: More Proactive Dissemination of Information on Projects
The handover ceremony held on February 17, 2023, was actively publicized by the embassy, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority via social media and websites. It was also given significant media coverage, enabling the widespread dissemination of the project to the public.
Recommendation 4: Clarification of Project Objectives and the Logic Model for Achieving Effectiveness
In project formulation for Sri Lanka’s Economic and Social Development Programme, procurement candidate items that fit the purpose were narrowed down beforehand as far as possible in order to clarify the purpose and logic for the manifestation of effects, and examined with combinations and anticipated effects.
MOFA carefully verifies the purpose of projects and their positioning in diplomatic policies, pays attention to the need for equipment supplies, equipment deployment plans, whether the Government of Sri Lanka has the capacity to maintain and manage the equipment, overlaps with existing equipment, and other factors, and strives to conduct prior reviews in the relevant departments on the anticipated effects.