Follow-up ODA Evaluation Results
The Implementation Status of Response Actions Taken for the Recommendations of Evaluations in FY2023
The following is the implementation status of response actions taken for the recommendations obtained from third-party evaluations in FY2023 (as of May 2025). (Link to the FY2023 evaluation reports) 
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the Kingdom of Thailand
Recommendation 1: Considering New Ways of Development Cooperation for Upper-Middle-Income Countries that will Become Emerging Donor Countries
In the basic policy of the “Country Development Cooperation Policy for Thailand,” which was updated in September 2024, “promoting cooperation to address modern challenges and lead regional development based on comprehensive and strategic partnership” continues to be the major goal. JICA conducts regular consultations with both the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) regarding the progress of collaborative projects and future direction of partnership. Regarding the resolution of challenges faced by Thailand as an upper-middle-income country and support for neighboring countries utilizing this experience, Japan is advancing efforts through technical cooperation and Third Country Training Programs. As for volunteers dispatched by Thailand (Friends From Thailand), a cumulative total of five volunteers have been accepted since FY2022, and since February 2024, one volunteer has been active in Kushiro City. The activities of the tourism volunteer who was accepted in FY2023 and dispatched to Hokuto City contributed to attracting tourists from Thailand and, through domestic media coverage, served as an opportunity to increase local governments’ interest in hosting foreign tourists.
Recommendation 2: Improving the Public Relations Approach
The Embassy of Japan in Thailand regularly disseminates information about ODA-related events and ODA maps on its Facebook page. In FY2024, a local press tour was held, inviting influencers and other press representatives to observe major ODA projects in Thailand. The number of media reports following the press tour reached nearly 20, effectively raising awareness among the Thai public of Japan’s ODA achievements.
Recommendation 3: Improving Monitoring and Evaluation of Third Country Training Program
Japan is conducting a thematic evaluation of Third Country Training Programs jointly with TICA in FY2025. After consulting with TICA, Japan will share the findings of the evaluation externally.
Recommendation 4: Direction of Future Development Cooperation to Thailand: Strengthening Support for Better Governance
Toward Thailand’s accession to the OECD, Japan is holding repeated discussions with the OECD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand on topics such as “improving efficiency and transparency of public institutions.” In addition, Japan is currently discussing measures to achieve better governance in neighboring countries with Thai government officials, including TICA. From FY2025, Japan plans to implement the Third Country Training Program “Enhancement of Sustainable Business Environment to Upgrade Investment Competitiveness for Mekong and South Asian Countries.”
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Recommendation 1: Accelerate economic growth that benefits low-income groups and all citizens, by continuing to expand and improve the quality of economic infrastructure, and supporting the upgrading and diversification of industry and employment associated with economic growth
With the Interim Government that took office in August 2024, Japan has confirmed a policy of regarding the enhancement of industrial capacities (diversification and value addition), strengthening of functions and improvement of environment for urban areas, and overcoming of social vulnerabilities as important cooperation areas. In addition to following up on ongoing projects, Japan works to consider and formulate new projects. Specifically, Japan has conducted surveys for an ODA loan (Phase 2) aimed at flood management and livelihood improvement in the Haor region, which has a high poverty rate and is vulnerable to climate change, and is formulating an ODA loan project that provides financial support upon achievement of policy actions toward industrial diversification and improvement of the investment environment (including service enhancement in special economic zones, startup promotion, and strengthening of industrial human resource development) and the strengthening of climate change countermeasures. Furthermore, in the Japan study program for young administrative officials, Japan takes into consideration the improvement of policy formulation capabilities in these areas when selecting candidates.
Recommendation 2: Spread the results of strengthening administrative capacity and systems at the central level throughout the country by strengthening commitment and ownership in central ministries and the foundation for local deployment (systems and budgetary allowances).
In all projects, Japan conducts project planning with greater awareness of promoting gender mainstreaming than before, and incorporates feedback into the next initiatives and formulation of subsequent projects from the perspective of reducing gender gaps at each implementation stage, up to project evaluation. For example, in an ODA loan related to food safety, Japan created an action plan that consolidates measures that contribute to gender mainstreaming across the facility design, construction, and implementation stages. In ongoing technical cooperation for strengthening microinsurance provision capacity, Japan conducts monitoring and evaluation using survey methods that incorporate gender perspectives, and reflects outcomes such as cross-sectoral gender considerations and expansion of women’s benefit ratios in ongoing activities and plans for subsequent projects. In addition, Japan strives to improve the rate of women’s participation in its training programs through country-based training on gender-based violence countermeasures.
Recommendation 3: Scrutinize and strengthen the monitoring of project activities in the direction of contributing to gender equality at the project-formulation stage so that the activities can more actively contribute to the reduction of gender disparities through the empowerment of women. In particular, strengthen women’s empowerment in employment and governance.
Japan will promote gender mainstreaming, including reducing gender gaps, as a cross-sectoral initiative. In principle, Japan will consider incorporating gender mainstreaming perspectives at all stages of projects (planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation). Japan will also actively promote the utilization of past cooperation assets and the identification of projects that contribute to cross-sectoral issues.
Recommendation 4: It is both meaningful and possible to introduce program-level evaluation. In the actual evaluation, it would also be effective to consider sector programs in which other donors participate rather than limiting the program’s scope to cooperation programs in Japan’s “Rolling Plan.” In the future, further methodology development is desirable; for example, by creating Theory of Change (ToC) for each sector at the program planning stage, confirming the position of each project in the sector, and establishing indicators.
The “ODA Evaluation Handbook” (revised January 2025) states that, when certain conditions are met, consideration will be given to implementing program evaluation to assess the contribution of Japan’s ODA projects to the entire sector of the target country by clarifying the process by which effects are realized, including efforts by the government of target country and support from other donors and international organizations.
JICA conducted the thematic evaluation “Development Effectiveness Study Using Theory of Change” in FY2021 (https://www.jica.go.jp/Resource/activities/evaluation/tech_ga/after/ku57pq00001cdfnb-att/202110_01_ja.pdf). To deepen stakeholders’ understanding of Theory of Change (ToC), JICA has developed educational materials based on the results of this study and regularly conducts training for JICA personnel. Most recently, JICA has implemented ToC sessions in pre-assignment training for experts and overall Project Cycle Management (PCM) training.
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to the Arab Republic of Egypt
Recommendation 1: Provide continuous support to the areas of Japan’s comparative advantage
(1) Regarding Japanese-style education, Japan is strengthening the operational system, with a focus on Project Management Units (PMUs), to ensure that “Tokkatsu (special)” activities continue and develop in a sustainable manner at the Egypt-Japan School (EJS) and regular public schools, with the aim of not only expanding the overall quantity, but also further enhancing quality.
(2) Regarding the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), under the “Project for E-JUST, Japan and Africa in Science, Technology and Innovation Network,” which began in February 2025, Japan promotes joint research support to build academic research networks between E-JUST and Japanese and African universities.
(3) The Government of Egypt has decided that the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will officially open on November 1, 2025. In conjunction with this, Japan will begin new technical cooperation for GEM operational support and educational activity development from the first quarter of 2025. From the second quarter, Japan also plans to start technical cooperation to strengthen the maintenance and management system for exhibited artifacts, and support research and dissemination on Egyptology and cultural heritage conservation, restoration, and exhibition. In addition, Japan will establish a regional hub for domestic and international human resource development.
Recommendation 2: Devise ways of disclosing information
For the 70th anniversary of Japan-Egypt development cooperation, Japan engaged in external communication throughout 2024, utilizing policy dissemination opportunities such as the creation of promotional videos, invitations for ministers in charge to visit Japan, and articles and lectures. In particular, for the opening of GEM, Japan will take advantage of domestic public relations opportunities during the visit to Japan by the CEO of the GEM in April 2025. Japan will also conduct public relations activities through the Facebook pages of the Embassy of Japan in Egypt and JICA, as well as other media, and disseminate favorable evaluations from Egyptian society. Moreover, Japan will consider developing publicity activities that are tied to ongoing cooperation, particularly with E-JUST, which has an MOU on collaboration and cooperation with GEM, as well as with EJS, Egypt-Japan KOSEN (EJ-KOSEN), the Project for Quality Improvement of Early Childhood Development, and JICA volunteers.
Recommendation 3: Scrutinize debt sustainability to avoid fueling foreign currency shortages
When considering ODA loan projects, Japan continues to conduct rigorous review based on information from the IMF, World Bank, and other sources. At the Annual Meeting of the World Bank Group and IMF in April 2025, Japan gathered information on Egypt’s macroeconomic outlook from a wide range of stakeholders, including Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).
Recommendation 4: Create an environment for Japanese companies to enter the Egyptian market through all-Japan support, including Other Official Flows (OOF)
While maintaining close communication among Japanese organizations, Japan will work with the Egyptian side and hold high-level policy dialogue led by the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, hold the Business and Investment Promotion Committee led by the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, and conduct exchanges of views and engagement that contribute to improving the business environment for Japanese companies. In terms of individual sectors, regarding the tax system reform that is being conducted by the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) and for which technical cooperation is ongoing, Japan will strive to promote dialogue with Japanese companies by utilizing the relationships formed through this project.
Recommendation 5: Enhance operational flexibility so that the Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) condition of ODA loans is easy to use for Japanese companies and their counterparts
Since the introduction of STEP, Japan has been continuously implementing improvements, including to the rules of origin for the procurement ratio from Japan. However, STEP is a system that provides loans under more concessional conditions than regular ODA loans, and the procurement ratio from Japan needs to be set based on conditions that benefit equipment manufacturers and other Japanese companies in a wide range of fields. Taking such points into consideration, Japan will continue to consider further improvements to STEP.
Evaluation of Japan’s ODA to Forcibly Displaced Persons and Host Countries
Recommendation 1: Clarifying the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus for Japan and providing more strategic support
Japan has included promoting the HDP nexus in the goals of the Country Assistance Policy for Uganda, which accepts many refugees, and is following up to ensure that projects that contribute to the advancement of the HDP nexus are included in the Rolling Plan. As a lead country for the HDP Nexus Multi-Stakeholder Pledge, Japan has also held five roundtables on the HDP nexus in Geneva, sharing the needs and challenges of host countries and holding discussions to implement effective support. Japan conducts regular information-sharing at the levels of MOFA and the JICA headquarters and is strengthening cooperation with international organizations on the ground through schemes such as Grants managed by international organizations.
JICA’s Office for Peacebuilding is formulating strategies related to the HDP nexus and assistance for refugees. It also holds study sessions and other ad hoc meetings with project-related departments and offices to ensure that strategies are reflected on the ground. Moreover, Japan started the “Information Collection and Confirmation Survey on Human Migration and Refugees in East Africa and the Great Lakes Region” in 2024 and is identifying measures to solve the issues of refugees in the region, including development of repatriation environments that lead to peace (“P”) in refugees’ home countries. The results are expected to be consolidated by mid-2025.
Recommendation 2: Collaboration among diverse actors to strengthen the HDP nexus, and the development of a structure for such collaboration
The HDP nexus personnel at MOFA and JICA headquarters work closely with relevant departments and personnel at overseas missions in countries that accept many refugees and at JICA to follow up on the implementation of pledges from the Global Refugee Forum (GRF).
JICA newly dispatched policy advisors to Kenya and Bangladesh in May 2025 to provide assistance for refugees and displaced persons and to promote the HDP nexus and is strengthening cooperation with various actors on the ground. JICA has also continued to dispatch advisors to Uganda since 2021.
Recommendation 3: Timely and flexible operations of cooperation modalities
As part of its efforts to contribute to flexible funding, Japan continues to contribute to the United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF). JICA has formulated guidance notes for JICA personnel involved in activities aimed at refugees and displaced persons, and has promoted initiatives toward rapid and effective implementation.
Recommendation 4: Emphasis on livelihood support
In Bangladesh, Japan provides comprehensive assistance, including vocational training for securing livelihoods for displaced persons, for camps in the Cox’s Bazar District and on Bhasan Char Island, and for host communities, through Grants managed by international organizations.
JICA continues to implement cooperation that includes refugees as beneficiaries in Africa’s agricultural sector. In the future, it plans to promote the economic inclusion of refugees by involving more private companies. In Uganda, JICA launched the technical cooperation “Promotion of Sustainable Rice Farming Development Project” in 2024, which is expected to contribute to improving the livelihoods of refugees and host communities.
Recommendation 5: Visualizing and publicizing Japan’s refugee assistance, especially assistance through international organizations
The UNHCR Representation in Japan and MOFA co-hosted Japan Global Refugee Forum Network meetings twice, deepening cooperation with international organizations, NGOs, private companies, groups, and other entities. JICA holds exchange meetings with Japanese NGOs on the HDP nexus on an irregular basis and is also strengthening cooperation with private companies, such as by planning the implementation of business idea contests at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Recommendation 6: Human resource development, appointment, and deployment related to refugee assistance and HDP nexus
When recruiting personnel for posts in charge of assistance for refugees, JICA recruits broadly through its website and other channels.
JICA continues to strengthen the dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer returnees in the field of assistance for refugees and displaced persons under the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme.
Recommendation 7: Continuing and strengthening refugee admissions in Japan
In line with the policies of the Government of Japan, JICA will continue to provide attentive support for the acceptance of Syrian students through the Japanese Initiative for the future of Syrian Refugees (JISR).
Evaluation of “Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid for Provisions of Japanese Local Products for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (FY2014)”
Recommendation 1: Conducting Handover Ceremony and Effective Publicity
Japan held the handover ceremony for the FY2020 Economic and Social Development Programme project in August 2024 and published press releases and social media posts about the ceremony afterwards to maximize the public relations effect. Articles about the ceremony were published in major media outlets including the state-run Petra News Agency, Al-Ghad newspaper, and The Jordan Times.
Recommendation 2: Preservation of Document Records
During the project formulation process, Japan makes efforts to keep records when significant changes in content occur. Overseas missions are working to preserve and record documents that will serve as lessons for future projects, including cases where significant changes in project content or decisions arise, as well as exchanges with governments of partner countries.
Evaluation of “Japan’s Grant Aid for the Economic and Social Development Programme for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (FY2016)”
Recommendation 1: Support for Maintenance Costs
During the project formulation process, Japan encourages implementing agencies to establish systems, including securing maintenance costs, in order to ensure partner country ownership.
Recommendation 2: Review of Procurement Guidelines
In December 2024, Japan published the Procurement Guidelines for Grant (Procurement Agent Method).