2. Efforts for Securing the Appropriateness of Development Cooperation
Japan formulates and implements development cooperation policies based on the implementation principles outlined in the Development Cooperation Charter approved by the Cabinet in February 2015.
(1) Development cooperation as a peace-loving nation
In the Development Cooperation Charter, Japan commits to promoting development cooperation in order to contribute more proactively to securing peace, stability, and prosperity of the international community from the perspective of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” based on the principle of international cooperation. For this purpose, Japan sets forth the basic policy of “contributing to peace and prosperity through cooperation for non-military purposes,” i.e., promoting development cooperation that is suitable for Japan as a peace-loving nation. More specifically, Japan carries out development cooperation based on the following principles.
Japan takes steps to ensure that its ODA is used appropriately in developing countries when assistance is provided to governments that have been formed following political turmoil, or to countries where there are frequent outbursts of anti-government protests. Japan also undertakes careful reviews of its ODA assistance, letting recipient countries know that Japan takes seriously the situation of democratization, the rule of law, and basic human rights in developing countries.
In addition, the Japanese government adheres to the ODA principle of the “avoidance of any use of development cooperation for military purposes or for aggravation of international conflicts,” and does not provide ODA for military purposes. Japan proactively contributes to counter-terrorism and peacebuilding. However, in order to prevent the use of Japan’s aid supplies and financing for military purposes, Japan ensures that this principle is fully respected in any situation.
Furthermore, Japan provides development cooperation bearing in mind the situation in recipient countries regarding military expenditures, development and production of weapons of mass destruction and missiles, and export and import of arms, etc. This is done with a view to maintaining and enhancing international peace and stability including the prevention of terrorism and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and based on the position that developing countries should allocate their resources appropriately and preferentially for their own socio-economic development.
(2) Impact on the environment and climate change, and consideration to the socially vulnerable
Economic development needs to be promoted by taking into account the environmental footprint and the impact on local communities. Japan utilizes its experience of industrial pollution, including Minamata disease, to implement ODA carefully, in order to avoid and minimize adverse impact on the environment. When implementing development cooperation, Japan checks whether the counterpart governments and relevant organizations implementing a project have given consideration to the impact on the environment and local communities, such as the resettlement of residents and the violation of the rights of indigenous people and women. In accordance with the Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations* established in 2010, JICA has provided support to ensure that partner counties have given appropriate environmental and social considerations to avoid or minimize the potential undesirable impacts of development cooperation projects on the environment and local communities. These efforts lead to ensuring transparency, predictability, and accountability related to environmental and social considerations.
Japan also gives consideration so that its development policies do not have an undesirable impact on local communities, in particular, on those who are prone to becoming socially vulnerable, such as the poor, women, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities. For example, JICA updated the new JICA Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations in April 2010. JICA follows the guidelines to ensure that due consideration is given to environmental and social factors in its preliminary studies, environmental reviews, and monitoring at the implementation stage.
(3) Preventing fraud and corruption
The new Development Cooperation Charter not only includes the existing implementation principles; it also articulates principles for effective and efficient development cooperation, and incorporates new principles for securing its appropriateness, such as preventing fraud and corruption, and security and safety of development cooperation personnel. Japan will implement development cooperation in line with these implementation principles.
Given that Japan’s ODA is funded by taxpayers’ money, fraudulent practices associated with ODA projects not only interfere with the proper and effective implementation of assistance, but also undermine public trust in ODA projects, which must never be allowed. Accordingly, the Government of Japan and JICA make efforts, taking past incidents of fraudulent practices into consideration, to prevent such practices by ensuring the transparency of procurement and other procedures.
In 2014, a Japanese company entered into a plea agreement with U.S. judicial authorities for fraudulent practices associated with an ODA Loan project in Indonesia and was found guilty in the United States. Furthermore, members of a Japanese company were indicted in Japan on fraud charges with respect to ODA Loan and other projects in Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Viet Nam and were found guilty. Although MOFA and JICA had taken the aforementioned measures to prevent fraudulent practices, further steps are being taken to prevent recurrence in light of the occurrence of incidents which have undermined the credibility of ODA. These steps include strengthening the function of the Consultation Desk on Fraud and Corruption, strengthening measures against companies engaged in fraud, and encouraging companies to establish compliance systems. Efforts on the Japanese side as well as the efforts and cooperation of partner countries are essential to prevent such situations from occurring. From this perspective, Japan is also consulting with governments of partner countries and extending assistance to enhance their capacity.
(4) Security and safety of Japanese development cooperation personnel
The security situation of developing countries where various Japanese development cooperation personnel are engaged in activities, including not only JICA personnel, experts, and volunteers, but also consultants, contractors, and NGO staff members is very complex and changes constantly from day to day. In recent years, tensions have risen in the Middle East and South Asia, and terrorist activities are frequently occurring worldwide. In 2015, the “Task Force on Bolstering Safety Measures for Japanese Nationals Overseas” chaired by then Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane was set up following the incident involving the murder of Japanese nationals by ISIL, and compiled recommendations on ways to strengthen the safety measures for Japanese nationals overseas. One of the medium- to long-term measures in the recommendations was “strengthening collaboration with development cooperation personnel.” Ensuring the security and safety of development cooperation personnel is a critical issue in many ways.
The government assesses the local security situation through Japan’s diplomatic missions and JICA, and provides travel information and promotes other information-sharing among development cooperation personnel. The government also gathers information on the whereabouts and contact details of Japanese company employees and NGO staff members engaged in development cooperation, as part of the efforts to further enhance the communication system in the event of an emergency. As for JICA, it is taking steps such as providing training and seminars for development cooperation personnel prior to their departure, ensuring means of communication in emergency situations in the countries of destination, deploying security advisors,* and installing security equipment in living quarters. In addition, JICA implements other timely and appropriate security measures, including exchanging information with Japan’s diplomatic missions and local offices of international organizations and preparing security manuals tailored to the security conditions of each country and region.
- *Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations
- “Environmental and social considerations” refer to taking into consideration the adverse impacts that a project could have on environmental and social aspects, such as impacts on air, water, soil, and nature including ecosystem, flora, and fauna, as well as the involuntary resettlement of people. The Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations are ones to assist JICA to conduct necessary studies and avoid or minimize adverse impacts of their ODA projects when the aforementioned adverse impacts are anticipated. The Guidelines are also intended to assist JICA to support and ensure that ODA recipient countries can give appropriate environmental and social considerations in order to avoid unacceptable adverse impacts on their countries.
- *Security advisor
- JICA assigns and utilizes “security advisors” who are well versed in the security and safety measures of the country concerned, in order to strengthen safety measures in the country. Security advisors collect and disseminate security information on a daily basis, as well as advise, give guidance, and implement a wide variety of security measures, ranging from housing security to measures against traffic accidents.