Chapter 1

Section 4. The Main Points of the Revised ODA Charter

1. The Main Points of the Revised ODA Charter

The main points of the ODA Charter thus revised are as follows. More details are explained along with specific case studies in Chapter 2.

Concerning the goal of carrying out ODA, the original ODA Charter advocated the humanitarian viewpoint, the interdependence among nations of the international community, environmental conservation, and Japan’s mission as a peace-loving nation. The revised ODA Charter, while taking these considerations into account, makes the goal of ODA “to contribute to the peace and development of the international community, and thereby to help ensure Japan’s own security and prosperity.” And ODA measures are positioned as the most suitable policy for gaining sympathy and support from the international community for Japan’s position as a nation which aspires for world peace.

In the revised ODA Charter, an item called the “Basic Policies” is established, which shows the form that Japan’s ODA will take. In it are clearly stated as basic policies, to continue with the philosophy that Japan’s ODA should take the form of support for the self-help efforts of developing countries based on “good governance,” assurance of fairness including taking into account gender equality, utilization of Japan’s experience and expertise, and partnership and collaboration with the international community. Consideration of the perspective of “human security” that is focused on individuals is also renewed in the charter.

Concerning the issues that ODA must address, taking into consideration current international development issues, “poverty reduction,” “sustainable growth,” “addressing global issues,” and “peace-building” have been made the priority areas. In particular, in recent years, “peace-building” has been emphasized as a field into which Japan should put a lot of effort.

The priority region for ODA is still the Asian region under the revised ODA Charter because Asia is a region with a close relationship to Japan and which can have a major impact on Japan’s stability and prosperity. However, Japan will strategically prioritize the areas and targets of assistance to Asian countries, fully taking into account the diversity of the Asian countries’ socio-economic conditions and changes in their respective assistance needs. In the “Formulation and Implementation of ODA Policy,” taking into account discussions and proposals concerning ODA reform to date, the government clarified what kind of policies were to be formulated and implemented. These included the formulation of unified and coherent ODA policies by the entire government, the strengthening of policy consultations with recipient countries, the strengthening of functions of field missions, the increasing partnerships with a wide range of entities involved in ODA, such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and public participation.

In order to achieve increased accountability in the management of the ODA Charter, the “Formulation and Implementation of ODA Policy” states that the status of implementation of the ODA Charter is to be made clear in the annual ODA White Paper.

ODA Charter Public Hearing

2. The Aims of the Revised ODA Charter

Since revision of the ODA Charter, Japan’s ODA has been developed based on the revised ODA Charter. Specifically, formulation and revision of new country assistance programs (Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, etc.), formulation and implementation of Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations by aid implementing agencies, announcements of ODA for African countries and Asian countries on the occasions of the holding of the Third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD III) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Japan (ASEAN-Japan) Commemorative Summit Meeting, and the promotion of peace-building assistance in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. can be given as examples of new developments in Japan’s ODA under the new Charter. In the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development –Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) Peer Review of Japan carried out in December 2003, serious discussions were held concerning the revision of Japan’s ODA Charter, and all the countries present expressed constructive views on how to implement Japan’s ODA more effectively and praised Japan highly for its various efforts.

Of course ODA reform is not completed by the revision of the ODA Charter. Reform must be steadily and continuously implemented in future. The government intends to contribute to the peace and the development of the international community through the utilization of ODA based on the revised ODA Charter. And through this approach, it intends to work to contribute to ensuring the security and prosperity of Japan. Implementing ODA more effectively and increasing its strategic value, mobility, transparency, and efficiency is important in order for Japan to fulfill its responsibilities commensurate with its national strength, to obtain the trust of the international community, and in to gain the understanding of the Japanese public. The government intends to advance economic cooperation in line with the philosophies, basic policies, and principles shown in the revised ODA Charter, based on broad public participation. To that end, firstly, there are measures to increase the strategic value of ODA. It is necessary to clearly specify priority sectors, and to selectively inject limited funds in a focused manner. Furthermore, it is necessary to prioritize according to assistance needs in each country, not only sector. Secondly, there are improvements to assistance implementing systems. In order to carry out effective, flexible and efficient ODA, it is necessary for related government ministries and implementing agencies to unite to implement coherent ODA. Thirdly, there are improvements to the way in which ODA is conducted. In order to improve the results of ODA, it is becoming more and more important to strengthen collaboration with the government of the recipient country, other donor countries, international organizations, and NGOs, etc., from the policy formulation stage through to the implementation and to develop highly transparent and efficient ODA based on broad dialogue and cooperation within Japan and overseas. The government intends to redouble its efforts to further advance ODA reform and to improve Japan’s ODA in conformity with the revised ODA Charter.

ODA Town Meeting concerning revision of ODA Charter

ODA Charter Public Hearing