26Muraoka: We incorporated some enhanced evaluation points from diplomatic viewpoints into the Guideline last year. I would like to ask you to tell us what you have noticed in that respect from working as a chief evaluator for Japan’s ODA to Angola.Prof. Inada: Evaluating from diplomatic viewpoints is quite difficult unless national interests are clearly defined in the first place. When it comes to defining national interests, there are several ways to understand them, including high-level and middle-level perspectives, as well as a project-level view. There are more than one definition of national interests in the decision-making process in ODA; therefore, it is challenging for the third-party to assess them from diplomatic viewpoints.Muraoka: You mean, it’s challenging to evaluate one by one as an additional task within limited time and resources... .Prof. Inada: In addition to time constraints, there is also a fundamental issue of what our national interests are. In the case of “evaluation from diplomatic viewpoints,” it is also a national interest in the narrow sense when diplomatic relations between Japan and recipient country are strengthened by providing ODA. I believe that it is a long-term national interest to make it easier for Japanese to take an active part in the international community by contributing to the improvement of the economic society of developing countries with resources in which Japan has comparative advantages. From this point of view, human resource development is a resource that Japan has comparative advantages and can make a good use of. The point is to train people in developing countries and increase the number of Japanese who are involved locally. It doesn’t matter whether they are Juichi Inada(Professor of Senshu University)experts or volunteers (JOCVs). Japanese experts and JOCVs can feel proud of themselves by getting involved in the human resource development of the recipient countries. Besides, this can also lead to an increase in the number of people who are pro-Japan or well-versed in Japan as well as can provide a place for experts and young to shine. In my opinion, to increase such opportunities is a national interest that will help Japanese people to live a better life in the long run. It takes time to develop human resources, but costs less compared to other projects, so I think it is a fruitful activity.Muraoka: That can actually lead to winning trust from developing countries... .Prof. Inada: That’s exactly right. Don’t you think that the most important thing is to increase the number of people thriving on the work which they can feel proud to be part of? I had an opportunity to meet with an official of the Embassy of China when I visited Angola for the evaluation survey last year. He says, “Among Japan’s ODA projects, Japan’s human resource development project is highly valued. Chinese people work on a project for a few years and then quickly move on to another project. On the other hand, Japan’s human resource development project is long-standing and effective. That’s Japan’s strength.” Within Japan's limited ODA budget, the key to the Japanese assistance model is that it is something that the recipient appreciates, the Japanese can thrive on, as well as both Japan and the recipient country can benefit from. I think this could further lead to Japan’s national interests.Muraoka: When evaluating from diplomatic viewpoints, it is more persuasive in the use of ODA as tax money if we can clearly explain causality between trust we are winning from developing countries through ODA and diplomatic objectives.Prof. Inada: From the perspective of the effective use of taxes, frankly, I’m afraid that some projects are not generating enough results for the money spent on dispatching Japanese experts and JOCVs. However, if you look at them from the national interest point of view, regardless of their effectiveness, they are still part of Japan’s national interests in the long run. That’s because a contact point is created by Japanese people getting involved locally in the recipient country, and close relationships are built by making more local people familiar with Japan.Miyamori: I agree. Japan’s ODA, once boasted the most substantial aid in the world, has sent an enormous number of experts and JOCVs all over the world, and we can’t deny the fact that it has contributed much to Japan’s internationalization.Prof. Inada: You’re correct. ODA is said to be a diplomatic tool, and historically, abundant ODA funding and tools became a kind of leverage and contributed to an increase in diplomatic influence. Recently, the impact of financial aid has declined, but the high ability, which Japan has accumulated in terms of expertise in high-quality manufacturing, infrastructure development technology, and fair procedures in procurement, is still essential for Japan. However, it will not last long unless this expertise is objectively valuable and applicable worldwide. Knowledge of privatization as well as in improving governance promoted by the World Bank are efficient and necessary in the development and continue to be long-lasting, despite being criticized from various directions. I feel that Japan should also have competitive expertise in intangible aspects and strive to engage Japanese people in the international community.Muraoka: In other words, we should enhance the areas of our comparative advantages... .Prof. Inada: That’s right. I think it is necessary to strengthen such areas. increase.The most important point is that the number of people who eagerly work for the field of development increases.
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