2. Increasing Public Participation

(1) Importance of Promoting Public Understanding and Support

The “ODA Review Final Report,” published in June 2010, emphasized the importance of obtaining public understanding and support for ODA.

MOFA and JICA promote the strengthening of public participation in the process of development cooperation at various levels and in a variety of ways, including: promotion of discussions and dialogues regarding development cooperation; promotion of development education; information disclosure regarding the current state of development cooperation; dissemination of relevant information to both rural areas and a wide demographic. In addition, opportunities in which a broad range of Japanese nationals can directly participate in actual assistance activities in developing countries to have experiences of ODA in the field are also offered. At the same time, Japan recognizes the importance of human resources development, research cooperation, and public-private partnership in order to appropriately respond to development issues, which are becoming increasingly diversified and complicated. Similarly, it is important to promulgate an understanding of Japan's basic policy regarding development cooperation in the international community, while Japan is also aware of the increasing significance of partnerships with NGOs as well as education and research institutions such as universities.

Meanwhile, promoting Japan's assistance is an essential process in the implementation of ODA projects, ensuring that it is widely known by local people in developing countries. Thus, overseas diplomatic missions and overseas JICA offices cooperate with each other to focus on conducting public relations activities in developing countries.

(2) Direct Participation in Assistance to Developing Countries by the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and Senior Volunteers (SV)

A Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer, Ms. Mayumi Yoda (audio-visual education), who is working in a village in Northern Senegal with the local children. (Photo: Yosuke Kotsuji)

JICA runs the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) program and the Senior Volunteers (SV) program, with the aim of promoting the participation of a broad spectrum of Japanese citizens in the country's development cooperation activity as volunteers, including young people and those who have a variety of skills and experiences. The JOCV program is a popular participatory program in which young Japanese aged 20 to 39 are dispatched to developing countries for a two-year-term, in principle, to assist economic and social development in those countries while living and working together with local residents. Since its establishment in 1965, the JOCV program has spanned nearly 50 years, and is an example of the “Visibility of Japanese Aid” that has been highly appreciated overseas. The SV program is also a participatory program where Japanese citizens between the ages of 40 and 69 engage in development activities for developing countries, utilizing a wide range of skills and abundant experience. The SV program is considered the senior version of the JOCV.

These volunteer programs, where Japanese people engage in development work in cooperation with local people in developing countries, also deepen local people's affinity for Japan and create grassroots connections between Japan and these countries. In addition, in recent years, attention has also been given to the aspect that people with volunteer experience can contribute to private companies in the expansion of their businesses in developing countries.

To promote these initiatives, and make it easier for people to take positions in these volunteer programs, the Japanese government is engaging in public communication work to inform people of such possibilities as taking advantage of career breaks*, while offering career support to alumni who have returned to Japan.

(3) Assistance to NGOs and Participation in Activities

The most familiar examples of citizen participation in international development cooperation are providing support for NGOs engaging in international cooperation and participating in the activities of these NGOs. The number of Japan-based NGOs has expanded greatly since the enactment of the “Act on the Promotion of Specified Nonprofit Activities” (NPO Act) in 1998 and the progress in legal arrangement following this. The number of NGOs actually engaged in international cooperation activities is said to be over 400. As described earlier (see “Partnership with NGOs,”), MOFA has been strengthening collaboration with NGOs, as essential partners in promoting the “Visibility of Japanese Aid.” More specifically, MOFA provides financial support to projects implemented overseas by Japanese NGOs (such as Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects), and implements projects aimed to enhance the capabilities of NGOs. As Japanese NGOs enter communities in developing countries directly, they supplement intergovernmental cooperation and can broaden the breadth of ODA. NGOs are expected to develop excellent human resources in the area of international cooperation and become promoters of the “Visibility of Japanese Aid.” In addition, Japan's NGOs are active in the area of emergency humanitarian assistance by taking advantage of their mobility and swiftness.

(4) On-site ODA Experience

“International Cooperation Reporters” implemented in 2014. On-site observation at the Dili Port in Timor-Leste. (Photo: JOCA)

Providing as many people as possible with opportunities to experience development cooperation by visiting project sites to see the actual condition of ODA is one of the most effective ways to deepen public understanding of ODA. In this respect, Japan also places an emphasis on support for on-site ODA observation through study tours (e.g. university seminars), and support for sending teachers and officials from local governments to ODA project sites. In addition, partnerships with travel agencies to implement experience tours and observation tours are being strengthened. A new program, “International Cooperation Reporters” (implemented by JICA), was also launched in 2011, in which the general public observe ODA project sites in person and report at various events after returning home. Reporters were sent to Kenya and Viet Nam in August 2011, to Uganda and Sri Lanka in August 2012, to Rwanda and Jordan in August 2013, and to Ethiopia and Timor-Leste in 2014 to observe Japan's ODA projects (10 people were sent to each country).

(5) Promotion of Discussion and Dialogue

MOFA and JICA have held briefing sessions throughout Japan regarding initiatives related to ODA such as supporting SMEs utilizing ODA. Likewise, lectures and symposiums to introduce trends in international cooperation and Japan's efforts are also held to have a dialogue, as necessary, with citizens interested in foreign policy and ODA.

Furthermore, JICA organizes roundtables and lectures with representatives from local industries, governments, experts, local universities, and school officials, utilizing its domestic offices such as regional centers and branch offices. By doing this, JICA aims to promote international cooperation coming from the different localities of Japan, and thereby, to promote the revitalization of regional economies.

(6) Human Resources Development and Research in the Area of Development

In order to train highly skilled professionals in the area of development, from FY2011, MOFA launched the “International Development Professional Training Program.” The program is expected to produce immediate practical results by training experts capable of taking leadership roles in the development field, and is expected to supplement the existing development studies offered by universities. More specifically, the program consists of six courses: (i) course on Japan's contribution to development in Asia and the practical aspect of applying the Asian economic development model to other regions (South-South Cooperation), (ii) course for acquiring international public law, (iii) workshop on negotiation role-playing, (iv) media training to improve interview and presentation skills, (v) exchange projects such as special lectures and talks given by distinguished experts from overseas who have global influence in the area of development, and (vi) internships at development-related international organization, etc.

In 2003, JICA established the International Cooperation Expert Center to recruit human resources who possess specialized knowledge and diverse experience, and to offer them opportunities to use their talents. JICA also provides recruitment information regarding international cooperation at various ministries, JICA, NGOs, international organizations, and other groups through the website called “PARTNER (Participatory Network for Expert Recruitment)” (http://partner.jica.go.jp/), as well as registering human resources, offering information on training and seminars, and career counseling, etc.

Furthermore, the Senior Advisor System is allowing JICA to be staffed by experts with highly specialized capabilities and abundant work experience in developing countries. The JICA Research Institute, established in October 2008, conducts policy research based on the actual experiences of development cooperation using internationally recognized methodologies, while communicating with the governments of developing countries and the recipient communities of international development cooperation.

(7) Development Education

A staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explaining the significance of Japan's ODA at an ODA Delivery Lecture held at Makinohara City Sagara Junior-High School in Sizuoka Prefecture.

MOFA sends its own staff to junior-high and high schools, universities, local governments, and NGOs to give lectures on ODA (“ODA Demae Koza”) in order to provide information and explanations about Japan's international development cooperation and ODA. JICA also annually holds the “Global Education Contest”(Note 5) (JICA has been the main sponsor since FY2011), in which participants can showcase photos and field reports on global education, which can be utilized for development education in order to promote development education. Similarly to assist development education, in response to requests from school education on the ground and local governments that promote internationalization, JICA sends former JOCVs to schools as lecturers. The JOCVs then engage in several types of activities, including the following: “International Cooperation Lecture” in which they speak about life in developing countries and stories of personal experiences, aiming to promote cross-cultural and international understanding; the “International Cooperation Experience Program” which focuses on high school and university students; “JICA Essay Contest on International Cooperation for Junior and High School Students” for junior and high school students. Furthermore, for teachers, there are various training programs such as the “Training Program for Development Education Leaders” and the “Study Tour Program for Teachers” in which teachers are dispatched to developing countries with the aim to utilize such experiences in their lessons.

(8) Strengthening Public Relations, Information Disclosure and Information Dissemination

Global Festa JAPAN 2014

Both MOFA and JICA have launched websites related to ODA(Note 6), which are linked to each other, in an effort to release and disseminate accurate information to the wider public. In October 2010, the “ODA mieru-ka site” (a website for the visualization of ODA) was launched within the JICA website to provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the current status of ODA projects and other aspects of the overall flow. In addition, MOFA publishes an ODA email magazine, which introduces actual stories of experiences and episodes about development cooperation in the field from the staff of overseas diplomatic missions and JICA-related personnel.

Since FY1993, MOFA has been making efforts to increase Japanese people's interest in international development cooperation and enhance their understanding by broadcasting relevant TV programs. In FY2014, MOFA produced a TV program, “MOFA Presents on What We Can Do to Better the World” (simultaneously broadcast on Tokyo MX TV and NicoNico Nama Housou livestreaming service), which was a special program commemorating the 60th anniversary of Japan's international development cooperation. These programs introduced Japan's international cooperation and ODA to the public in an easy-to-understand manner, by including site coverage in developing countries and specific episodes. Aside from TV program, information on international cooperation was disseminated to the public, particularly aimed at younger generations, through various media, including magazines and specially established websites.

Global Festa JAPAN is held annually around the time of the “International Cooperation Day” (6th of October)* as one of the largest international development cooperation events in Japan. This event, which is co-hosted by MOFA, JICA, and the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC) for two days on Saturday and Sunday at Hibiya Park in Tokyo, had participation from NGOs, international organizations, private corporations and related ministries. The 2014 event attracted approximately 78,000 visitors.(Note 7)

In addition, Japan conducts public relations activities overseas to promote a better understanding of Japan's proactive international contribution through ODA. For example, Japan cooperates with local news coverage by providing press releases when signings and handover ceremonies related to development cooperation occur. In addition, Japanese overseas diplomatic missions plan site-visit tours to Japan's development cooperation projects for the local media to provide opportunities for them to address Japan's cooperation. Furthermore, Japanese embassies host various lectures, and create websites and PR pamphlets both in English and local languages.

The special broadcasting program to mark the 60th anniversary of Japan's international cooperation, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents: What we can do for the world”

1. Note 5: Formerly the Development Education/International Understanding Education Contest (changed in FY2009)
2. Note 6: MOFA ODA website: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/
   JICA: http://www.jica.go.jp ODA mieru-ka site: http://www.jica.go.jp/oda
3. Note 7: On the second day, the event was terminated in the morning due to poor weather.

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