Forty-six years ago, Japan signed on to the Colombo Plan and began providing assistance to developing countries even while continuing to orchestrate its own post-war reconstruction with the support of the international community. Completing repayment of its loans to the World Bank in 1990 for projects such as the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Tomei Expressway, Japan promptly became the world's largest donor of bilateral ODA in 1991, and has since retained this position.

Looking at current conditions in developing countries, there are clearly an almost overwhelming number of issues requiring not only the efforts of developing countries themselves, but also cohesive support from the international community. As a nation aiming to contribute actively to the formation of world peace and prosperity, Japan must assume a leading role in such international efforts. Actively assisting the developing world with the understanding, support and participation of the Japanese people will without doubt deepen the international community's understanding of Japan and increase our credibility; further, the contact this provides with many of the world's people will help to create a respectful Japanese society in the 21st century.

This is the 16th edition of "Japan's ODA" and in this 1999 edition, we focus on the following points. First, we introduce the debate under way in the Diet and other parts of society toward ODA reform, and explain the Medium-Term Policy on Official Development Assistance, the basic guidelines for Japanese ODA which have grown out of this debate.

Second, to implement ODA with the full understanding and support of the Japanese people, the government must not only improve information disclosure but also ensure the wider participation of Japanese citizens in ODA programs. In the context of encouraging such heightened citizen participation, we have looked at collaboration with and support for local government agencies and NGOs, the activities of which have attracted considerable attention in recent years, as well as Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Senior Overseas Volunteers.

Third, with a view to the guarantee of "Human Security" -the protection of the life and dignity of every human being from regional conflict, refugee exodus, antipersonnel mines, natural disasters, drug abuse, and various other threats -we have recorded specific cases of Japan's ODA efforts in regard to the Kosovo conflict and antipersonnel mines, as well as disaster relief provided in the wake of the various disasters occurring around the world.

Fourth, the international community has recently become very conscious of the severely indebted countries, as evidenced by their appearance on the Koln Summit agenda in June 1999, and we have taken this opportunity to overview Japan's efforts to assist these nations.

Other issues include continuous Japanese efforts in areas such as assistance in the economic revitalization of Asia, a region with which Japan has close ties; convening of the Second Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD II) and ODA to Africa; and environmental issues.

We will listen to advice from every quarter, and continue our efforts to ensure appropriate ODA implementation and to make this even more efficient and effective. We earnestly hope that readers of this publication will gain a deeper understanding of, and provide even greater support to, our international cooperation activities.

February 2000

Yohei Kono
Minister for Foreign Affairs

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