Section 4 Operational Status of the Principle of Assistance Implementation

The government of Japan provides assistance in compliance with the assistance philosophy of the ODA Charter, in consideration of the principles of the United Nations Charter and after comprehensively determining the developing country's need for assistance, socio-economic conditions, and the bilateral relations with the recipient country.

The objective of ODA is to contribute to economic development and improve the welfare of developing countries so as to create a world where all people can live in a humane manner and in peace. In addition, ODA aims to ensure the safety and prosperity of Japan by contributing to the peace and development of the international community. In order to disburse taxpayer's money appropriately, Japan provides assistance in compliance with the assistance philosophy of the ODA Charter, in consideration of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations (especially sovereign right, equality, and non-intervention in domestic matters) as well as the points listed below, and after comprehensively considering such elements as the developing countries' need for assistance, socio-economic conditions, and bilateral relations with the recipient country.

(1) Environmental conservation and development should be compatible.

(2) Any use of ODA for military purposes or for aggravation of international conflicts should be avoided.

(3) Full attention should be paid to trends in recipient countries' military expenditures, their development and production of weapons of mass destruction and missiles, their export and import of arms, etc., so as to maintain and strengthen international peace and stability, including the prevention of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and from the viewpoint that developing countries should place appropriate priorities in the allocation of their resources on their own economic and social development.

(4) Full attention should be paid to efforts for promoting democratization and the introduction of a market-oriented economy, and the situation regarding the protection of basic human rights and freedoms in the recipient country.

•Specific Operation

For specific operation of the principle of ODA implementation, it is vital that judgments are made not by mechanically applying a series of set standards, but by comprehensive evaluation on a case-by-case basis that considers the various conditions in the recipient country and other related circumstances. In addition, humanitarian considerations for the people of the developing country must be made as well. If development aid is suspended or reduced according to the principle of ODA implementation, it is the ordinary people of these developing countries, in particular the impoverished people that have to suffer from the most serious impact. Accordingly, even in cases in which assistance is suspended or reduced, it is necessary to consider combining such judgment with measures that give special consideration to the implementation of emergency or humanitarian assistance.

•Consideration of the Environment and Society

In promoting economic development, consideration must be given to the burden on the environment and the impact on the local community. Japan has suffered numerous instances of industrial pollution, including Minamata disease. Japan utilizes these experiences to implement ODA carefully in order to minimize adverse impact on the environment. Japan also gives consideration to ensuring that its development policies do not have undesirable impact on local society, in particular the socially vulnerable such as those suffering from poverty, women, ethnic minorities, and disabled persons. For example, JICA proclaimed the new "JICA guidelines for environmental and social considerations" in April 2010, and conducts procedures to confirm that consideration is being given to environmental and social factors in its preliminary studies, environmental reviews, and monitoring at the implementation stage. In addition, Japan implements a policy of incorporating the gender perspective at all stages of projects—including policy formulation, planning, implementation, and evaluation—in order to promote "gender mainstreaming in development."*

•Avoidance of Military Uses and of Encouragement of International Conflict

The use of Japanese ODA in developing countries for military purposes or for encouraging international conflict must be strictly avoided. Therefore, Japan does not provide direct assistance to the military or military personnel of developing countries through ODA.

Japan proactively contributes to the fight against terrorism and peace-building, but in order to prevent aid materials and funds provided by Japan from being used for military purposes, Japan gives sufficient attention to the principles of ODA implementation even when the assistance is provided for anti-terrorism measures.

•Response for Promoting Democratization and for Ensuring Basic Human Rights and Freedoms

The new administration that established after political turmoil in developing countries might have doubts regarding the democratic legitimacy, it is possible to be suspended the constitution that should halt infringement of human rights, and to be violated the basic human rights. There is also possibility the human rights of the people would be threatened by the government suppression in developing country that anti-government demonstrations occur frequently. In such cases, Japan deals cautiously with implementing ODA assistance. Specifically, Japan ensures that developing assistance is used appropriately and conveys to the recipient country its deep concern regarding the status of democratization and human rights in developing countries. For example, Japan encourages developing countries to restore a democratic political process at an early stage such as Fiji where a bloodless military coup occurred in December 2006, and Madagascar where an unconstitutional change of administration occurred with the support of the military. Also in such cases, Japan will consider carefully for each ODA project to be implemented for a certain time.

Myanmar:In November 2010, the Government of Myanmar held a general election, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest. March 30 2011, marked the transition from military government to civilian government, and also released approximately 50 political prisoners in Mid-May of 2011. This is viewed as a positive step forward democratization of Myanmar. In light of these circumstances, in June 2011, with regard to economic cooperation, Japan decided to consider and implement on a case-by-case basis projects centering on basic human needs (BHN) which would directly benefit the people of Myanmar while closely following the progress of democratization and improvement of human rights situations in Myanmar. Considering the subsequent release of over 200 political prisoners, the meeting between President U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, registration of the National League for Democracy (NLD) as a political party, announcement of participation in a by-election by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and other positive steps toward democratization and national reconciliation, Japan would continue to provide economic assistance, while encouraging the Government of Myanmar to make further progress on democratization and national reconciliation. In addition to communicating these views to the leader of Myanmar on the occasion of Japan-Myanmar Summit in November 2011 and Foreign Minister Gemba's visit to Myanmar in December 2011, at the ODA Policy Consultation Meeting held in November 2011, a wide range of discussions were held on Japan's assistance policies on ODA for sustainable development of Myanmar. In this Consultation Meeting both countries shared the view to further enhance coordination in the future.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba meets with President Thein Sein during the first visit to Myanmar by a Japanese Foreign Minister in nine years

Syria: Since March 2011, anti-government demonstrations have been taking place in various regions of Syria, and the country's security force suppress demonstrators by using weapons. Japan has strongly urged Syria to immediately stop acts of violence against civilians, and promptly implement various reforms that people are demanding, including political and economic ones to restore the stability of the country. Japan decided to withhold the implementation of new ODA except for assistance of an emergency or humanitarian nature.

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