(5) Partnership with Various Actors

Japan engages in international cooperation in partnership with the private business sector, NGOs, universities, local governments, international organizations, and other donor countries.

●Partnership with NGOs

In recent years, NGOs have fulfilled an important role in the international community by recommending policies on major diplomatic issues such as development, the environment, human rights, trade, and disarmament. Japanese NGOs implement high-quality development cooperation activities in developing countries, including education, health and medical care, rural development, refugee assistance, and mine clearance. In addition, Japanese NGOs provide prompt humanitarian assistance in areas affected by conflict or natural disasters like earthquakes. As NGOs work at a grass-roots level where governmental assistance has difficulty reaching, NGOs are deeply familiar with the region and are able to provide suitable response to the needs of people, as well as to promote the “visibility of Japanese Aid.” Japan has advocated the promotion of partnerships with NGOs in the ODA Charter and other policies, and engages in a variety of collaborative measures related to development cooperation activities of NGOs, including financial assistance, capacity building, and increasing dialogues between NGOs and MOFA.

Children playing a balancing game as a part of pre-school education in Bamiyan Province, Afganistan. (Photo: Save the Children Japan)

a. Cooperation with NGO Projects

Japan cooperates in a variety of ways to enable NGOs to implement development cooperation activities smoothly. For example, in FY 2012, 45 organizations utilized Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, which provides funds to grass-roots-level socio-economic development projects by NGOs, to implement 92 projects, including the construction of schools, assistance for disabled persons, vocational training, and improvement of maternal and child health (the scale of the financial assistance has almost doubled over the last 5 years). In addition, as of September 2013, 42 NGOs participated in the Japan Platform (JPF), an emergency humanitarian aid organization established in 2000 through a partnership among NGOs, the government, and the business community. The JPF utilizes ODA funds as well as donations from the private sector and individuals that have been contributed in advance to distribute emergency supplies and medical assistance when a major disaster occurs. In FY 2012 a total of around ¥3.6 billion was disbursed for projects implemented by NGOs through the JPF in 31 countries, including projects assisting the victims of the Haiti Earthquake, the droughts in the “Horn of Africa,” the conflict in Syria, and humanitarian aid in South Sudan, Northern Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In some cases, JICA’s technical cooperation projects are outsourced to the private sector including NGOs, putting to use the expertise and experience of NGOs, universities, and a variety of other organizations. Further, as part of its ODA activities, JICA conducts “JICA Partnership Program (JPP)”* to outsource projects that have been proposed by NGOs, universities, and local government bodies that directly contribute to the improvement of the lives of local residents in developing countries. In FY 2012, JPP provided funds for 206 projects in 45 countries.

The Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) supports the only wheelchair factory in Tajikistan. A girl (center) liked the red wheelchair at first sight, and runs around the garden in it. Mr. Minami, a wheelchair expert (front left) (Photo: AAR Japan)

b. Establishing Better Environment for NGO Activities

Further measures to support NGO activities include projects for establishing better environments for NGOs. For example, under the “NGO Consultant Scheme,” staff of Japanese NGOs who have experience and a favorable record of performance commissioned by MOFA address inquires and requests for consultation from the public and NGO stakeholders regarding activities in international cooperation, or the management of NGO and development education, etc. NGO consultants also provide such site services as addressing requests for consultation at international cooperation events and making business trips to give a lecture on international cooperation, and otherwise provide opportunities for many people to deepen their understanding of NGOs and international cooperation activities. Further, measures are taken to support NGOs in strengthening their capabilities to manage organizations, and specializations, through “NGO study groups” by hosting workshops and symposiums on such themes as “Survey on NGO Partnerships from the Perspectives of Companies and Individuals” and “Gender and NGO.”

JICA also provides a variety of training for NGO staff members. For example, JICA conducts (i) training for NGO’s organizational strength through the “Improve Organizational Skills! NGO Human Resource Development Training” for NGO staff members that are to play active roles both domestically and overseas in future, (ii) Project cycle management (PCM)* method training to enable personnel to acquire project planning, proposal, and evaluation skills in developing countries, (iii) dispatching of advisors with suitable knowledge and experience to strengthen NGO’s institutional capacities in terms of public relations, fundraising, and accounting, and (iv) dispatching of advisors to strengthen overseas NGO projects that provide expert guidance in strengthening abilities necessary to the effective implementation of projects overseas.

c. Dialogue and Partnership with NGOs

Since 1996, MOFA has held the NGO-MOFA Regular Consultation Meetings to promote a stronger partnership and encourage dialogue between NGOs and MOFA. NGOs and MOFA are exchanging opinions regarding development cooperation policies and funding assistance for NGOs such as Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects. Since 2002, the NGO-Embassies ODA Consultation Meetings have been held to exchange ideas and opinions on the efficient and effective implementation of ODA among the staff of Japanese embassies, other assistance organizations and Japanese NGOs that work in developing countries. The meetings have been held in 34 countries, including Nepal and Sri Lanka. JICA also hosts a quarterly dialogue meeting with NGOs in order to promote the realization of effective international cooperation and the understanding and participation of civil society in international cooperation, based on an equal partnership with NGOs. JICA has also established NGO-JICA Japan Desks in 21 countries to support the activities of Japanese NGOs operating in developing countries and to strengthen projects conducted jointly by NGOs and JICA.

●Partnership with Private Business

a. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for boosting growth

Japanese private companies’ activities in developing countries make significant contribution, by creating opportunities for local employment, augmenting tax revenue, expanding trade and investment, contributing to the acquisition of foreign currency, and transferring Japan’s superior technology. In April 2008, Japan announced the “Public-Private Partnership for Growth in Developing Countries”—a new policy to strengthen partnerships between ODA and Japan’s businesses and to promote activities by private businesses in developing countries. Through this, the government receives consultation and proposals from private sectors related to their activities which are conducive to economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries, as well as public-private cooperation projects together with ODA. In the past, 34 public-private partnership projects have been authorized. One instance was a project to utilize Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects for mine clearance and unexploded ordnance disposal from farmland when Japanese businesses conducted herbal medicine cultivation in Laos. Another case was a project to utilize technical cooperation to invite a team of Mexican physicians to Japan for training of sophisticated medical technology (cardiac catheterization techniques) that had been developed by a Japanese company.

Likewise, attention has focused recently on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, in which private businesses aim to contribute proactively to resolving the issues in local communities they enter, and also on BOP business*, which aims to contribute to improving lives and resolving social issues through businesses focusing on the low-income demographic. In cases where these activities are implemented by private corporations in partnership with local NGOs, Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects and technical cooperation are utilized. In addition, Japan works on Public-Private Partnership* (PPP) that aim to implement highly public projects more efficiently and effectively, and provides consistent assistance from the planning stages of the project, such as institutional development and human resource development through technical cooperation, with utilizing Private-Sector Investment Finance or ODA loans.

Furthermore, at the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Follow-up Meeting held in June 2011, Japan announced the establishment of the “MDGs Public-Private Partnership Network.” This network assists the smooth implementation of business and social contribution activities in developing countries by Japanese companies, and promotes their activities contributing to the achievement of the MDGs through providing them with: information on the development needs of recipient countries; assistance in creating networks through introducing domestic and overseas NGOs, international organizations, and universities; and workshops on health and the post-2015 development agenda, for example.

■Cooperation Preparatory Surveys for PPP Infrastructure Projects and BOP Business Projects

To encourage participation to international cooperation from Japanese businesses with excellent technologies, knowledge and experience which are interested in overseas expansion, JICA provides two types of preparatory survey schemes based on private sector proposals. These schemes offer conducting a feasibility study* to private companies that submitted the proposals for PPP infrastructure projects and BOP business. In the past, JICA has selected 42 PPP infrastructure projects such as expressways, water supply and sewerage systems, and 76 projects related to BOP business projects in the areas of health and medical care and agriculture (as of December 2013). In addition to utilizing the specialized knowledge, funds, and technologies of private sectors to resolve the development issues of developing countries, this gives a push to the overseas expansion of private business as well.

BOP business using water purification units combined with a bicycle which has been deployed in Bangladesh. (Photo: Kaku Suzuki / JICA)

■Assisting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

It is crucial to incorporate the rapid economic growth of emerging and developing countries for Japanese businesses in terms of their future growth. In particular, although Japan’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) possess numerous world-class products and technologies, due to insufficient human resources, knowledge and experience, many businesses have not embarked on overseas expansion. On the other hand, it is expected that such products and technologies of Japanese SMEs will be utilized to help resolve socio-economic issues in developing countries. In response to this situation, since FY 2012, MOFA has started needs surveys such as for the products and technologies of Japanese SMEs in developing countries, studies to formulate ODA projects, and outsourcing projects for proliferating products and technologies through ODA. This attempts to resolve development issues in developing countries while contributing to the overseas expansion of Japanese businesses. Additionally, to assist the development of global human resources required by SMEs, the “Private-Sector Partnership Volunteer System”*, which dispatches staff from SMEs to developing countries as Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) or Senior Volunteers (SV), while keeping their membership in enterprises, was established in 2012. Through this system, Japan proactively assists to build SMEs’ networks within developing countries. Similarly, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has also assisted the overseas expansion of Japan’s SMEs through the new Global Internship Program by dispatching young business persons, and a symposium on fostering global human resources co-hosted with JICA in November 2012.

■Private-Sector Investment Finance

The high risk involved in projects in developing countries often makes funding from private financial institutions difficult. Therefore, Japan uses JICA Private-Sector Investment Finance* to assist the development projects implemented by private businesses in developing countries through direct investment and financing. Regarding Private-Sector Investment Finance, the “Reorganization and Rationalization Plan for Special Public Corporations” announced in December 2001 stipulated that there would be no investment and financing except for projects authorized before the end of 2001. However, due to an increase in the necessity to respond to new demands of high development impact through the private sector, resumption was decided in June 2010, and trials of Private-Sector Investment Finance from JICA to private businesses were resumed in March 2011.

As a result, government review of a pro-poor micro-financing project (small-scale financing service) in Pakistan and an industrial human resource development project in Viet Nam was completed in 2011, and it was fully resumed in October 2012. In 2013, a financing contract of a project related to an environmentally-friendly industrial park in Long An Province, Viet Nam was signed as the first contract after the full resumption.

■Infrastructure System Exports*

The Japanese government holds the Ministerial Meeting on Strategy relating Infrastructure Export and Economic Cooperation to support infrastructure system exports by Japanese companies discuss key issues of external economic cooperation, and implement it in a strategic and efficient manner. In May 2013, the Strategy for Exporting Infrastructure Systems was established. Also, MOFA has appointed 127 “Specialists in Infrastructure Projects”* at 58 overseas diplomatic missions in 50 countries (as of June 2013), to strengthen systems for gathering information through overseas diplomatic missions, and enhance communication with related local organizations and chambers of commerce. In addition, the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet are leading Japan’s marketing effort to receive orders for infrastructure projects.

b. Acceleration of ODA Loans Procedures

Public-private partnership (PPP) has become widely recognized as necessary for development assistance to developing countries. It is important to produce development effects promptly through effectively incorporating ODA loans and private-sector business. From the standpoint of promoting effective public-private partnership as well, further efforts are required to provide ODA loans at the same pace of private sector business activities.

While giving attention to ensure accountability and appropriate procedures, through ensuring ownership of the recipient countries, preventing fraud and corruption, and considering the environmental and social impact of projects, Japan announced Measures to Accelerate ODA Loans Procedures in July 2010, with consideration to its “Measures to Accelerate ODA Loans Procedures” announced in 2007 and “Measures to Accelerate ODA Loans Procedures by Expediting Public-Private Partnerships” published in 2009. The measures include additional actions such as the implementation of “pre-pledges,” increasing the number of countries which hold on-site monitoring meetings and detecting problems at an early stage, and holding discussions regarding countermeasures. Japan will continue its efforts to promote further acceleration, such as reviewing procurement procedures.

●Partnership with Universities and Local Governments

Japan utilizes the practical knowledge accumulated by universities, as well as local governments to implement ODA more effectively. JICA promotes the joint implementation of technical cooperation and ODA loan projects to make it possible to utilize the specialized knowledge possessed by universities to address the challenges of developing countries. In addition, JICA cooperates with local governments so that international cooperation projects that originated in local regions will be conducted more actively through utilization of their knowledge and experience as well as collaboration in qualitative improvement of ODA projects and development of human resources for development cooperation.

In March 2013, utilizing the framework of the JICA Partnership Program (JPP), the Japanese government announced its policy of effectively pairing overseas operations of local governments with international cooperation efforts as a special framework for invigoration of local economies.

A JICA expert, Mr. Matsuoka, from the Fukuoka City Waterworks Bureau and Yangon City staff in charge of water supply inspecting the current state. (Photo: Mika Tanimoto / JICA)

●Partnership with Local Governments and NGOs of Developing Countries

Partnership with local governments and NGOs in developing countries strengthens not only the socio-economic development of developing countries, but also the capacity of civil society and NGOs in those countries as well. Japan mainly utilizes Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects to support socio-economic development projects implemented by development cooperation partners. This financial cooperation has received high praise in developing countries as a detailed and rapid form of assistance that provides direct benefit at the grass-roots level including the construction of schools, upgrading of hospital basic medical equipment and digging of wells.

●Partnership with International Organizations and Other Countries

In recent years, from the perspective of improving the quality and effectiveness of development cooperation, based on the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action (AAA) and Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, various countries and aid organizations have been working to coordinate their development cooperation policies in order to achieve international development goals such as MDGs. Currently, working groups have been formed for various development sectors such as health and education in many recipient countries, and program-type assistance is being implemented in accordance with the sector development strategy of the recipient countries. Japan participates in many of these programs, such as the reform of local administration in Tanzania. Further, in 2005, Japan, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) prepared a Joint-Strategy partners initiative for Bangladesh to support a poverty reduction strategy (PRS). Subsequently, the Joint Cooperation Strategy (JCS) to Bangladesh was formulated in June 2010 with the participation of 18 development partners to work together in coordination and collaboration for more effective and efficient cross-sectoral development cooperation (for instance, having a link between health and education fields). Likewise, as specific cooperation with the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), in 2005 the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance for Africa (EPSA) was setup together with the African Development Bank (AfDB), and to date cooperation of over $1 billion in ODA loans has been provided to ensure the smooth flow of funds to Africa’s private sector and promote private sector investment for construction of roads and electricity, etc. At the G8 Camp David Summit in 2012, Japan announced the provision of a new $1 billion ODA loan under this initiative. Furthermore, in 2012, together with the Inter-American Development Bank, Cofinancing for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CORE) was set up as a co-finance framework with a vision of a maximum of $300 million worth of cooperation over five years.

Recently, Japan has also been proactive in cooperation and collaboration with international organizations that have offices in Japan. Moreover, Japan promotes initiatives that aim for an effective partnership of multilateral cooperation and bilateral cooperation. The objectives of this partnership are to reflect trends in international development cooperation into the bilateral aid policies, and at the same time promote mainstreaming of Japan’s bilateral aid methods which have comparative advantage, within the recipient countries and the international community. Such efforts will help improve the effectiveness of Japan’s development cooperation.

In the past, members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD have been the main countries that provide development cooperation in the international community, but in recent years, non-DAC member countries that are referred to as “emerging donors” such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil have begun to have a significant impact on the development of developing countries. Within the framework of the G20 also, consultation on development issues has begun to be implemented not only by the main donor countries but also including emerging and developing countries. Japan has encouraged the emerging donors to promote development cooperation that is in harmony with international efforts. For example, significant progress was made in the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness held in Busan, Republic of Korea in November 2011, that a new framework for cooperation to solve global issues called “Global Partnership” was created among DAC member countries including Japan, emerging donors, the private sector, and other organizations. Similarly, the Fourth Asia Development Forum* was held in Jakarta in March 2013 to share the Asian experience in implementing development cooperation.

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