Sectoral Development Policy

Japan has provided assistance for the promotion of culture and higher education, as well as the preservation of cultural heritage, and promotion of sports in developing countries, through the Cultural Grant Assistance* since 1975. Specifically, Japan has constructed facilities necessary for preserving and utilizing cultural heritage and cultural properties, sports and cultural facilities, and facilities of higher education and research institutions in developing countries. Japan has also provided necessary equipment for these facilities. Such facilities built in developing countries also serve as hubs for spreading information about Japan and holding cultural exchanges with Japan, as well as deepening understanding of Japan and fostering a sense of affinity toward Japan.

Japan provides support for the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage, including equipment provision and preliminary studies and surveys, through the UNESCO Japanese Funds-in-Trust. Placing a particular emphasis on human resources development in developing countries, Japan also endeavors to dispatch international experts, mainly Japanese experts, as well as hold workshops in order to transfer the technology and expertise to developing countries. In addition to tangible cultural heritage, Japan also supports the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage such as traditional dances, music, handcraft techniques and oral traditions by implementing successor training, records conservation, the creation of safeguard mechanisms, and other activities.

Note: Cultural Grant Assistance
Cultural Grant Assistance are grants provided to procure equipment and supplies, and improve facilities for the promotion of culture and higher education in developing countries. It is intended to encourage cultural and educational advancements in developing countries as well as cultural exchanges between Japan and these countries, with a view to deepening friendships and mutual understanding. This cooperation includes Cultural Grant Assistance, which provides assistance to governmental organizations of developing countries, and Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects, which provides assistance to NGOs and local public entities for small-scale projects.

As the host country of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo due to be held in summer 2021, Japan has been utilizing ODA to actively support sports since January 2014. This is to promote the "Sport for Tomorrow" program, as a strategy for international contribution through sports, aimed at advancing the value of sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The aim of "Sport for Tomorrow" is to benefit more than 10 million people of all generations in over 100 countries, including developing countries, by 2020.* The goal to target 10 million people in 100 countries was achieved one year ahead in 2019. * With the one-year postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the international contribution strategy has also been extended by one year.