Actions in Response to Recommendations of Evaluations in FY2024

The following are the actions taken in response to the recommendations from the six ODA evaluations conducted in FY2024.

Regional Evaluation of ASEAN Connectivity Support Centered on the “Japan-ASEAN Connectivity Initiative”

Recommendation 1: Planning infrastructure assistance and intellectual assistance for multi-country infrastructure development/ improvement

Japan has been implementing transportation infrastructure projects that benefit multiple countries in Southeast Asia. Currently, in Laos, for example, Japan is implementing road and bridge maintenance management centered on National Road No. 9, which connects Laos with Thailand and Viet Nam, improvement of Vientiane International Airport, and support for upgrading the grid code and strengthening the enforcement system with future regional benefits in mind. Enhancing regional connectivity through such support contributes not only to further economic development in the region but also to Japan’s national interests, including strengthening the operational base of Japanese companies expanding into the region, and Japan will continue such support. Furthermore, from the perspective of facilitating the regional trade of goods and linking it to regional economic revitalization, Japan considers support in the customs field to be important. In addition to the ongoing “Project for Strengthening Customs Efficiency for Enhancing Mekong Connectivity,” Japan will consider other future support while taking into account the needs of partner countries.

Recommendation 2: Assistance for institutional improvements in the international transportation network

In strengthening connectivity in developing countries, besides supporting infrastructure development, Japan has also provided assistance for the development of institutions that leverage Japan’s knowledge and experience, earning recognition as a “trusted partner” from various countries. Particularly in terms of support for “standardization and commonization,” Japan has implemented technical cooperation projects such as the “Project for Capacity Enhancement in Developing State Management Tools for Construction Project” in Viet Nam, which led to the creation of cost estimation guidelines for civil engineering works in the country and the incorporation of standard safety management plans into ministerial ordinances. From the perspective of further solidifying Japan’s reputation as a “trusted partner,” Japan will continue to consider support that contributes to the standardization and commonization of systems in related countries.

Recommendation 3: Continuation of the combination of physical assistance and non-physical (human resource development)

While taking into account policies such as the ASEAN Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative, Japan will continue cooperation that combines infrastructure development (physical assistance) through ODA loans and Grants with support for human resource development, including technical cooperation involving JICA’s Knowledge Co-Creation Program and grant for accepting international students. For long-term advanced human resource development support, Japan will implement long-term training, including at Japanese graduate schools, as well as the JICA Development Studies Program, among other initiatives.

Recommendation 4: Addressing the common issues between ASEAN and Japan as collaborative partners

Japan is providing assistance for ASEAN on challenges in areas such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, and digital, which are priority policies in the Development Cooperation Charter revised in 2023, while leveraging Japan’s knowledge and technology. Japan also implements third-country assistance in collaboration with countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia on common challenges faced by Japan and ASEAN countries. Furthermore, from the perspective of supporting ASEAN’s organizational development to enable it to address the challenges it faces, for example in the field of infectious diseases, Japan is currently establishing and building the capacity of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases through technical cooperation. Japan is also implementing regional projects that contribute to disaster risk reduction in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and the Mekong River Commission. Through such support, Japan will work together with ASEAN countries to address common regional challenges.

Recommendation 5: Clarifying Japan’s ODA contribution in a context of ASEAN’s strategy for connectivity

Japan will implement support for ASEAN connectivity while maintaining close interactive communication with the ASEAN side. Through this approach, Japan will seek to firmly understand ASEAN perspectives and needs, including various policy documents formulated by ASEAN (such as MPAC2025 and its successor documents). At the same time, Japan will strive to foster mutual understanding by clearly explaining its views on Japanese assistance that is tailored to these strategic documents. Moreover, Japan will promote mutual understanding with ASEAN countries by strengthening and expanding networks through personnel exchanges and human resources development and will strive to engage in effective and proactive external communication and public relations.

Recommendation 6: Support and respect the unity and centrality of ASEAN

Japan will implement assistance for ASEAN while respecting ASEAN’s principles and fundamental positions, such as unity and centrality, as well as ASEAN’s needs and ownership.

Recommendation 7: Lead the international community by demonstrating universal values in the FOIP (Promote rule of law and free trade)

Recognizing that the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)” adopted by ASEAN leaders share fundamental principles, Japan will promote ODA that contributes to the realization of a FOIP in areas such as maritime cooperation, connectivity, SDGs, and the economy, including various initiatives outlined in the new plan for a FOIP announced in 2023. Japan will continue and strengthen its efforts while bearing in mind, in particular, that the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative is aligned with “Multi-Layered Connectivity,” which is the third pillar in the aforementioned plan and also a priority area for Japan-ASEAN Cooperation on AOIP.

Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to Nepal

Recommendation 1: Formulate Japan’s next Country Development Cooperation Policy for Nepal in line with Nepal’s 16th Plan and needs and continue support in three priority areas.

Since the revision of the next Country Assistance Policy for Nepal is scheduled for 2026, MOFA, JICA, and the local ODA Task Force will consider the necessity of continuing support for the three priority areas of the current Country Assistance Policy, taking into account the priority goals of Nepal’s 16th Five-Year Development Plan (2025-2029) and Nepal’s needs, and formulate an effective support policy.

Recommendation 2: Strengthen cooperation among ODA schemes within the Japan’s Assistance Programs and with various stakeholders (partners) and improve knowledge management.

In implementing ODA projects in Nepal, Japan will continue to strengthen coordination between schemes within each assistance program of the Rolling Plan and coordination with other donors to maximize development outcomes. Japan will also utilize opportunities including bilateral political consultations on development cooperation and local ODA Task Forces, strive to share knowledge among project stakeholders on both the Japanese and Nepalese sides, and continuously consider more strategic approaches to project implementation.

Recommendation 3: Promote strategic human resource development, capacity building and the active participation of pro-Japanese knowledgeable and supportive groups and implementing agencies.

For strategic human resource development and capacity building in ODA implementing agencies, Japan will continue cooperation that leverages Japan’s knowledge and strengths while considering past good practices and Nepal’s support needs. Additionally, through initiatives such as returning trainee alumni associations, Japan will encourage active participation in ODA projects by Japan-experts and pro-Japan personnel, including those from the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) and JICA long-term training participants, and will conduct effective project implementation and follow-ups to foster further affinity for Japan.

Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to COVID-19 Related Cooperation

Recommendation 1: Give priority to the capacity building of emergency responders in healthcare and medical service in developing countries.

Under the Health Sector Project Strategy (JICA Global Agenda), Japan is engaged in human resource development for strengthening surveillance systems as part of the “Cluster Strategy for Strengthening of Capacity for Infectious Disease Control and Testing.” Furthermore, in the “Cluster Strategy for Strengthening Health Service Delivery,” which was formulated in April 2025, human resource development in the health sector is positioned as one of the priority areas as a strategy for improving the quality and quantity of health and medical services toward achieving resilient, equitable, and sustainable UHC. Japan will advance cooperation with each country under these strategies. In its implementation of projects in each country, Japan has been promoting information sharing and coordination with other donors, and will continue to strive for effective cooperation, including necessary coordination as appropriate.

Recommendation 2: Establish an information gathering structure at all times to prepare for emergencies.

At overseas missions, Japan will build connections with local health authorities at all times and establish a system that enables information gathering at the local level.

Japan will review information-sharing methods from the perspective of making effective organizational use of the knowledge gained from the pandemic during the next time of emergency.

JICA is working to establish a system that enables information gathering through the use of networks across ongoing technical cooperation projects, dispatched individual experts, and local staff at JICA offices, and will continue to strengthen this system. However, JICA will pay attention to the need to exercise care when handling local information obtained from the governments of partner countries and cooperating institutions, based on long-standing cooperation and trust relationships. JICA will also review methods for sharing practical knowledge that it gained during the COVID-19 pandemic internally.

Recommendation 3: Build strategic partnerships in the health and medical care sector.

Regarding the development and production of vaccines, medicine, and diagnostic equipment, the initiative of research and development institutions and the private sector, as well as collaboration based thereon, beyond the scope of ODA, are important. Through communication with a wide range of stakeholders, Japan will strive to create opportunities that can promote not only joint research utilizing ODA, but also strengthen networks among both countries’ research institutions and promote information exchange and dialogue, including among both countries’ private-sector companies.

Recommendation 4: Promote cooperation with regional organizations (Africa CDC and ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED)) and strengthen their capabilities.

In coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, Japan has begun dispatching experts to ACPHEED, and will provide technical cooperation and other assistance. For the Africa CDC, Japan will enhance relationships by coordinating with relevant Japanese institutions through opportunities such as TICAD 9. Japan will also consider possibilities for future cooperation and collaboration, including support for further capability-strengthening, through communication with the Africa CDC.

Recommendation 5: Give more importance to timing than quantity and improve the system to make cooperation possible without missing opportunities

Delays caused by logistical disruptions are not limited to what can be addressed through ODA system improvements. In light of that, for MOFA’s grant, a method that enables local procurement of equipment for small-scale projects (grassroots method) is already in operation. Japan will respond appropriately by selecting the optimal method based on procurement equipment and project scale, taking into account individual circumstances. (Note that this will not be conducted for the purchase of consumables as it is difficult to verify project effectiveness.)

Recommendation 6: Promote further utilization of accumulated knowledge and networks of local staff.

In many countries, local staff have been responsible for specific sectors for a long time, accumulating specialized knowledge in those areas and building networks with their counterparts in the governments of partner countries. Through training and sharing of sectoral knowledge for local staff, Japan will aim to build the capacity of local staff and strive to ensure they can actively utilize their capabilities, such as when formulating new projects or advancing projects at the implementation stage.

Recommendation 7: Simplify the procedure to be able to respond flexibly in emergencies in cooperation with international organizations.

Regarding the utilization of Emergency Grants, Japan will continue to work with stakeholders to enable rapid support in emergency situations, while also considering the perspective of accountability to the public on ODA budget execution.

Recommendation 8: Monitor activities and outcomes in cooperation with international organizations and conduct PR to highlight Japanese assistance.

Japan will work to strengthen monitoring of Emergency Grant activities in partnership with international organizations. Regarding public relations, Japan will continue to conduct effective activities in the future, while taking into consideration the circumstances at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereby there were more constraints than ordinary times.

Evaluation of Japan’s Grant Aid for Economic and Social Development Programme for the Republic of Djibouti in FY2018

Recommendation 1: Cooperation and Collaboration with JICA in Project Follow-up

Even after the completion of this project, Japan continues to provide support to the implementing agency, the Djibouti Road Agency (ADR), through JICA technical cooperation and training programs. The Embassy of Japan will work in coordination with the JICA Djibouti Office to gather information on the status of the development of the Djibouti-Addis Corridor by ADR and the status of this project.

Recommendation 2: Monitoring to Ensure Sustainability of Project Effects (Measures for Sections Affected by Heavy Rain)

Japan will continue to confirm ADR’s countermeasures and maintenance management system for damage caused by heavy rain to culverts and other infrastructure.

Recommendation 3: Close Consultation and Strengthened Collaboration with Other Donors

Japan will utilize the donor consultation meetings that the World Bank has been regularly holding since December 2024 to share information with donors about the Djibouti-Addis Corridor.

Recommendation 4: Emphasis on a Broader Regional Perspective in Project Formulation

Japan contributes to strengthening connectivity in the East African region by providing technical support for the maintenance management of Djibouti’s main roads and improving urban transportation through the currently ongoing Project for the Construction of a Bridge on the Palmeraie Road. Additionally, in areas other than transport and traffic, Japan forms and implements regional projects, including those in the health sector. Japan will continue to consider new projects while closely monitoring developments in neighboring countries.

Recommendation 5: Promoting More Effective Public Relations

In 2024, Japan created a promotional video introducing this project as an example of support in the infrastructure sector, which was published on websites and social media. MOFA, JICA, and the local ODA Task Force will continue to work together to promote ODA projects in Djibouti through websites and social media.

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