2. Sharing Universal Values and Realizing a Peaceful and Secure Society
In order to achieve “quality growth” in developing countries, it is necessary that the rights of individuals are guaranteed, people are engaged in socio-economic activities with a sense of safety, and social infrastructure 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 ensuring 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 staff engaged in the correction and rehabilitation of offenders. It is also necessary 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 improving financial systems, including human resources development.
●Japan’s Efforts
A seminar on the civil code conducted through the technical cooperation “Project for Promoting Development and Strengthening of the Rule of Law in the Legal Sector of Lao P.D.R.” (Photo: JICA)
As part of the assistance for the promotion of the rule of law and the development of economic systems, Japan provides assistance, including human resources development, that addresses legal and judicial system reform, local administration, capacity building of government officials, enhancement of internal audits, and the establishment of civil codes, competition law, intellectual property law, tax, internal audit, and public investment systems in countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam, and Uzbekistan. In particular, in Laos, as a result of Japan’s continuous support for the promotion of the rule of law for over 20 years, the country’s first civil code entered into force in May 2020. In this way, the improvement of the legal and economic systems in developing countries leads to improvements in the business environment for Japanese companies to be active in these countries. Japan’s assistance for the promotion of the rule of law and the improvement of economic systems draws on Japan’s “soft power” and promotes and underpins growth in the world, including Asia.
Every year, Japan holds an international training course (twice a year: a spring session on crime prevention and anticrime measures, and an autumn session on the treatment of offenders) and an international seminar for senior officials (once a year, on a wide range of criminal justice issues) for criminal justice practitioners from developing countries including 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 issues identified among the international community including the UN, and Japan has made efforts to adapt to the changing agenda in the global society.
Japan also conducts international training courses, studies, and seminars in developing countries. These activities are aimed at supporting the drafting of basic laws and regulations, establishing the basis for the operation and execution of legal systems, and strengthening the training of legal professionals in developing countries. Specifically, Japan invited legal practitioners and lawmaking professionals, such as justice ministry officials, judges, and prosecutors, from Asian countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and Viet Nam, 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, Japan dispatched experts from Japan to recipient countries to hold seminars and other activities.
Furthermore, in order to proactively promote assistance that is aligned with the needs of developing countries, Japan works to continuously implement effective assistance by conducting broad and basic studies regarding the legal systems of the countries, and their interpretations and operations.
- *United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI)
- Established in 1962 based on an agreement between the UN and the Government of Japan. It is operated by the UN Training Cooperation Department of the Research and Training Institute within the Ministry of Justice. It implements international training and other activities for criminal justice practitioners in developing countries, and has produced over 6,000 graduates from 139 countries and regions since its establishment.