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.
(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, by informing recipient countries that Japan takes seriously the situation of democratization, the rule of law, and basic human rights in developing countries.
The Development Cooperation Charter does not change the consistent principle that Japan will not use ODA for military purposes; it stipulates “Contributing to peace and prosperity through cooperation for non-military purposes” and firmly maintains policies to promote development cooperation that is suitable to Japan as a peace-loving nation. On the other hand, in recent years the armed forces or members of the armed forces have played an important role in non-military activities such as measures to combat infectious diseases, public welfare for recovery and reconstruction after conflict, assistance for disaster relief, etc. There are an increasing number of situations in which the cooperation of these people for non-military purposes is necessary to tackle important development issues in the international community. Based on these points, the Development Cooperation Charter clarified Japan’s policies about dealing with the armed forces or members of the armed forces regarding development cooperation for non-military purposes, that had not been sufficiently clear before, under the principle of avoiding “any use of development cooperation for military purposes or for aggravation of international conflicts.” Examples of this type of cooperation Japan has implemented since the establishment of the Charter include training in disaster risk reduction for members of the armed forces of Ecuador and the provision of musical instruments to the Papua New Guinea military band. In order to ensure the appropriateness of this kind of cooperation, Japan is thoroughly implementing pre-screening by the Development Project Accountability Committee and postmonitoring. Furthermore, for fighting against terrorism and contributing to peacebuilding Japan ensures that the principles of the Charter are fully respected in order to prevent the use of Japan’s aid supplies and financing for military purposes.
Japan also 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 socioeconomic development.
(2) Impact on the Environment and Climate Change, and Consideration to the Socially Vulnerable
The environmental footprint and the impact on local communities needs to be taken into consideration in the process of economic development. Japan utilizes its experience of industrial pollution, including Minamata disease, in the careful implementation of Japan’s ODA to avoid and minimize adverse effects on the environment.
When implementing development cooperation, Japan checks whether the counterpart governments or relevant implementing organizations 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
In addition to the existing principles for implementation, the Development Cooperation Charter also articulates principles for effective and efficient development cooperation, and incorporates new principles for securing its appropriateness, such as preventing fraud and corruption, and considering the security and safety of personnel engaged in development cooperation.
Given that Japan’s ODA is funded by taxpayers’ money, fraudulent practices associated with ODA projects not only disturb the appropriate and effective implementation of development cooperation, but also undermine public trust in ODA projects, therefore, they are inexcusable. 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 strengthen their governance. Furthermore, Japan prepared and distributed educational materials with the objective of raising awareness about preventing fraud and corruption by people involved in Japan’s ODA projects and officials in the partner country governments.
- * 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.