18.

The following recommendations have been given in forums such as the Diet concerning the declining trend in Japanese ODA.
• Recommendations of the Special Committee on Official Development Assistance and Related Matters of the House of Councillors "Toward the new role of international assistance" (June 13, 2007): "1. Securing ODA budget for adequate assistance levels. Reductions in ODA budget amounts should be halted and increased in net terms for adequate assistance levels in order for Japan to continue to be highly-esteemed and trusted within international society.quot;
• The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan's Special Mission Committee on enhancement of diplomatic power "Action Plan 10 toward enhancement of diplomatic power" (June 8, 2007): "Utilizing the opportunities of the 2008 G8 Summit and TICAD IV (the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development), we will send a strong message to the international community that ODA, which currently faces a trend of being reduced, should once again be increased."