In recent years, the digital divide between those who have access to and utilize information and communications technology (ICT) is widening. As stated in Japan's ODA Charter, cooperation efforts in the field of ICT development for sustainable growth is a priority issue in the delivery of ODA assistance. At the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit Meeting held in July 2000, Japan announced its "Comprehensive Cooperation Package to Address the International Digital Divide". Japan intends to continue to be active in the ICT sector, promoting industry-academia-government cooperation, and coordinating with the international aid organizations and the governments of Asian countries.

As access to ICT expands throughout the world, so do its benefits. However, the so-called "digital divide" could threaten the future stability of the international community by further widening the economic disparity between developed and developing countries.

The development of ICT plays an important role in enabling the achievement of sustainable economic growth through an increased efficiency. It also plays an extremely important role in fostering human rights where ICT, as a means of communication, is utilized to promote information disclosure and increase public participation in politics which in turn leads to a healthier democracy and increased transparency and accountability in governance. In the ICT sector, cooperation efforts are not limited to the physical equipment required for the development of ICT, but are also to the development of human resources for the better utilization of ICT. The development of healthcare human resources in Ghana is one good example of ICT utilization. The management of training records of healthcare workers and health records of patients is now managed more effectively by utilizing ICT. ICT is utilized in a wide range of areas contributing to cooperation and development efforts.

As indicated in Japan's ODA Charter, Japan places great importance on cooperation efforts in the field of ICT for sustainable growth which is one of the ODA priority issues. Also Japan's Medium-Term Policy on ODA (February 2005) stresses that the development of the ICT infrastructure, as part of the development of social and economic infrastructure, is vital for sustainable growth. The development of an ICT infrastructure assists in improving access to basic social services and bridging the existing disparity between urban and rural areas, which in turn lead to contributions in poverty reduction.

- The Framework Featured in ODA Charter and Mid-Term Policy (Extracts)

Japan's Official Development Assistance Charter (August, 2003)

Japan's Medium-Term Policy on ODA (February, 2005)

- Initiatives & Funding Commitment

"Japan's Comprehensive Cooperation Package to Address the International Digital Divide" (July 2000)

At the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit Meeting held in 2000, Japan announced its Comprehensive Cooperation Package to address the International Digital Divide, through which Japan will promote cooperation based on the four pillars of 1) intellectual contribution on policy and institution building, 2) human resources development, 3) building ICT infrastructure and networking, and 4) promoting the use of ICT in development assistance. Given that ICT is traditionally a sector that is developed through private-sector leadership, a large part of this package focuses on non-ODA cooperation such as investment finance, export finance and untied loans. Based on these points, Japan is allocating ODA cooperation to sectors that are not well provided for on a commercial basis, such as infrastructure and human resources development in developing countries.

In 1990 Japan provided Japanese ODA loan for the "Telecommunications Network Expansion Project" in Pakistan. The objective of this project was to improve telecommunication services both qualitatively and quantitatively by expanding domestic transmission lines (fiber-optic cables) and international telecommunication facilities in conjunction with the installation of new telephone lines to contribute to vitalization of commercial and industrial activities. As a result of this, the telephone penetration rate doubled. In addition, on a subscriber lines survey conducted (sample size of 40 households and 89 organizations), almost all respondents stated that the completion of this project, telecommunication conditions were vastly improved enabling better business and personal communications.

- Cooperation with Multilateral Organizations

Japan-Poland-Ukraine Trilateral Cooperation
Transfer of Information Technology to Ukraine (UNDP project)

Since 1989, Japan provided Poland with assistance programs to aid in a smooth transition from the former socialist system to a democratic market economy, At the request of the government of Poland, Japan assisted Poland in the establishment of the Polish-Japanese Institute of Computer Technology (PJICT), currently known as the Polish-Japanese Institute of Information Technology (PJIIT). In 1996, as part of its technical cooperation, a five-year PJIIT project was initiated, where Japan provided assistance for the development of human resources as an indispensable workforce to satisfy the needs and demands of an information oriented society. The institute has since been expanded, and currently PJIIT offers not only undergraduate programs but also masters and doctorate programs serving as one of the leading academic institutions in information technology in Poland.

Playing a key role in the area of ICT in Central and Eastern Europe, from 1999 through 2003, PJIIT conducted a training program titled "Eastern Europe Information Technology Seminar" to provide learning opportunities in a third-country for participants from neighboring countries. In 2004, PJIIT launched another series of seminars titled "Central and Eastern Europe Information Technology Seminar" providing learning opportunities for participants from both Central and East European countries.

Furthermore, the PJIIT, developed under Poland-Japan bilateral cooperation, has been playing a key role in the developmental assistance project to Ukraine. In this project, is funded through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ICT development fund, to which the government of Japan contributes. PJIIT provides the experience, technology, teaching and operating methods for the development of Internet utilized distance learning to Ukraine, a country geographically and linguistically close to Poland.

As these examples show, the sharing of technology, expertise, and experiences with neighboring countries contributes to sustainable growth and assists in promoting cooperation efforts between regions. It will also assist developing countries to take independent initiatives in development efforts by utilizing Japanese technology.

Distance Education, and Information and Communication Technologies Capacity Building at the University of the South Pacific (Fiji Islands)

The University of the South Pacific (USP), jointly established by twelve island countries in the South Pacific region, is an international academic institution. Since its establishment in 1969, USP has provided distance education programs. Currently the number of enrolled students counts approximately 9,000, of which 45% are taking distance education courses. Commencing in 1998, and in cooperation with Australia and New Zealand, Japan implemented a grant aid program titled "University of South Pacific Communication System Improvement Plan" for the improvement of the University's communication systems. Under this project, the satellite operated intranet system (USP-Net), which connects the hub station at the University's main campus in Suva, Fiji to other remote campuses, was developed. As a result of this project, interactive distance learning by live broadcasting; two-way voice and video communications through USP-Net became possible allowing students in remote areas to take the same lessons that are provided at the main campus. In addition, commencing in 2002, Japan extended its assistance with a three-year project aimed at distance education and information and communication technologies capacity building by upgrading the facilities and equipment of the USP-Net and providing appropriate training to develop the required teaching materials for distance learning and to develop the human resources of instructors and lecturers from the member countries in the South Pacific region.

With the development and appropriate utilization of ICT, it is possible to improve educational opportunities for people living in geographically remote areas such as the islands of the South Pacific region.

Photo from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Handbook (MOFA, 2005)