2 Sharing Universal Values and Realizing a Peaceful and Secure Society
In order to achieve “Quality Growth,” it is necessary that the rights of individuals are guaranteed, and people can engage in socio-economic activities with a sense of safety, as well as to put in place social infrastructure that is equitably and stably managed. So as to strengthen such foundations, the sharing of universal values such as freedom, democracy, respect for basic human rights, and the rule of law, as well as the ensuring of peace, stability, and security, are of great importance in developing countries.
2-1 Assistance for Realizing an Equitable and Inclusive Society
(1) Assistance for the Development of Legal and Judicial Systems, and Socio-economic Systems
The development of socio-economic infrastructure, coupled with the establishment of the rule of law, realization of good governance, promotion and consolidation of democratization, and respect for basic human rights, are the foundation for the development of developing countries. In this regard, assistance for the promotion of the rule of law is required to develop laws and to train legal and judicial experts, including experts in the correction and rehabilitation of offenders, as well as to assist in the development of economic systems that involve the establishment of tax systems, appropriate collection, management and execution of taxes, strengthening of audit functions of the public sector, and human resources development for improving financial systems.
■ Japan’s Efforts
As part of the assistance for the development of legal and economic systems, Japan provides assistance that addresses legal and judicial system reform, local administration, capacity-building of government officials, enhancement of internal audits, and human resources development for the establishment of civil codes, competition law, tax, internal audit, and public investment systems in countries such as Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Nepal, and Cote d’Ivoire. Assistance in this field is a typical example of “people-to-people cooperation” between Japan and the recipient countries, and Japan implements such assistance as part of “Japan’s visible development cooperation.”
In addition, the improvement of the legal and economic systems in developing countries through such measures is an important initiative, in the sense that it leads to improvements in the business environment for Japanese companies to be active in these countries. Japan’s assistance for the improvement of legal and economic systems draws on Japan’s “soft power,” and promotes and underpins growth in the world, including Asia.
Every year, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) holds an international training course (twice a year) and an international seminar for senior officials (once a year) for criminal justice practitioners from developing countries in Asia and Africa, in collaboration with the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI). Each course and seminar has focused on key identified issues among the international community including the UN, and has made efforts to adapt to the changing agenda in the global society. The main topic of the spring international training course is crime prevention and anticrime measures, and for the autumn session is the treatment of offenders. The international seminar for senior officials covers a wide range of criminal justice issues.
MOJ also conducts international training courses on the promotion of the rule of law, studies on the legal systems in other countries, and seminars in developing countries by dispatching experts. These activities are aimed at supporting the drafting of basic laws and regulations, as well as economic laws and regulations in developing countries, establishing the basis for the proper operation and execution of legal systems, and strengthening the training of legal professionals. Specifically, MOJ invited legal practitioners and lawmaking professionals, such as justice ministry officials, judges, and prosecutors, from Asian countries including Viet Nam, Myanmar, Laos, and Indonesia, and held trainings on themes such as the drafting of legislation and the development of legal human resources tailored to the needs of each country. Additionally, MOJ dispatched experts from Japan to recipient countries to hold seminars and other activities.
Furthermore, in order to earnestly and proactively promote assistance that is aligned with the needs of developing countries, MOJ works to continuously implement effective assistance by conducting broad and basic studies regarding the legal systems of the countries, and their interpretations and operations.