Editor’s Note

Everyone makes mistakes. No matter how hard we try, there are times when we fail. We must acknowledge this fact honestly, learning from reality with humility, and applying the lessons drawn to the future. Easier said than done.

The world is getting smaller, and both people and things are intertwined in complex ways. Issues are becoming increasingly complicated, serious, and urgent. The individuals involved in the issues have their own values and circumstances. Their interests clash.

To resolve the issues, we must acknowledge each other’s values and circumstances, and overcome conflicting interests. This requires “bridges” that connect individuals.

To build the bridges, first, determine the facts about what is happening and what is the situation? Then, make value judgements on the facts that have been ascertained.

Determining facts and making value judgements are different. To unravel intertwined issues, it is vital to separate the two. It would be dangerous to mix them up.

In reality, it is not always possible to draw a single conclusion from the facts. We may not be able to fully substantiate the evidence, or to separate it from the value judgements. However, putting effort into determining facts is the first step toward building bridges.

After determining the facts, value judgements are not straightforward. A single fact may have several outcomes depending on a “value”. When we aim for 10 and achieve 7, what are our thoughts on the 7 that we have achieved and the 3 that we have not reached? Furthermore, do we aim once again for 10, or are we content with 7? The experience of grappling with the difficulties together for an answer helps to deepen mutual understanding, and makes our bridges stronger.

One of the sections in the Development Cooperation Charter revised last year states that “Japan’s approach of building reciprocal relationships with developing countries in which both sides learn from each other as equals are good traditions of Japan’s development cooperation.” Our predecessors have already built bridges.

We learn from reality with humility, and apply the lessons drawn to the future. By repeating this process honestly, we can improve ourselves, win the trust of those around us, and gain more friends who will join hands with us. Easier said than done.

We humbly present the record of our trial-and-error efforts to build bridges over the past year.

ARAI Kazuhisa
Director, ODA Evaluation Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs