２ Efforts for Spreading Awareness of Development Cooperation
(1) Efforts for Information Disclosure and Promoting Public Understanding and Support
The Government of Japan makes the following enhancements and efforts for public relations and information dissemination regarding ODA.
A. Strengthening public relations and information dissemination
“ODA-Man” ©DLE
Global Festa JAPAN (October 2021)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) redesigned the ODA website Note 14 and then relaunched it in March 2021. MOFA also publishes an ODA email newsletter, Note 15 and conducts public relations activities using social media such as Twitter (see “ODA Topics 7” for details).
Furthermore, MOFA introduces ODA in an easy-to-understand manner, including by distributing the animated video series “Go! ODA-Man” Note 16 using the ODA PR character “ODA-Man” featured in the popular anime “Eagle Talon,” and by releasing documentary videos featuring a famous Japanese TV personality and author Mr. MATAYOSHI Naoki.
In addition, MOFA holds one of Japan’s largest international cooperation events called “Global Festa JAPAN” every year around the time of International Cooperation Day (October 6), jointly with JICA and the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC) (in 2021, it was held in a hybrid format both in-person at the Tokyo International Forum and online on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10).
In overseas countries, Japanese diplomatic missions also disseminate information, for example by issuing press releases on the occasion of signing and handover ceremonies of ODA projects. The diplomatic missions also organize site-visit tours (press tours) of Japan’s development cooperation projects for the local media. In addition, Japan creates PR pamphlets, distributes the English version of the White Paper on Development Cooperation, and disseminates information in local languages via social media and websites, among other efforts.
B. Information disclosure on implementation and evaluation of ODA
The Government of Japan launched the “ODA Mieru-ka Site” Note 17 (a website for visualization of ODA), and posts project summaries, results and ex-ante/ex-post evaluations, and other related information on the JICA website (there were 4,840 project posts as of October 2021).
Likewise, the MOFA website publishes the results of ODA evaluations Note 18 and other such information, in addition to new ODA projects, and statistical materials, in order to promote more effective implementation of ODA.
C. Promotion of development education
The ODA Delivery Lecture given online by MOFA officials
MOFA holds the “ODA Delivery Lecture” to explain ODA and other international cooperation at educational institutions, NGOs, and other organizations in Japan. 17 ODA Delivery Lectures were provided in 2021. In addition, JICA implements the “International Cooperation Delivery Lecture,” in which ex-Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) and others talk as lecturers about their experience and life in developing countries, “Visit JICA,” in which students visit JICA offices in Japan, and the “JICA Essay Contest on International Cooperation for Junior and Senior High School Students.” JICA also provides the exhibition facility “JICA Global Plaza.”
D. On-site ODA experience
In order to foster understanding of ODA projects among the Japanese people, JICA works to provide on-site ODA experiences to teachers, local public entities’ officials, and others.
E. Promotion of discussion and dialogue
The Government of Japan holds information sessions regarding ODA including assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises through ODA projects. Likewise, the Japanese government also holds lectures and symposiums to introduce trends in international cooperation and Japan’s efforts, offering opportunities for dialogue with the public interested in diplomacy and ODA.
- Note 14: MOFA’s ODA Website: https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/index.html
- Note 15: The ODA email newsletter: https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/mail/bn.html (in Japanese only)
- Note 16: Animated video series “Go! ODA-Man”:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/press/event/page22_001008.html (in Japanese only) - Note 17: ODA Mieru-ka Site: https://www.jica.go.jp/oda/ (in Japanese only)
- Note 18: ODA evaluations: https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/evaluation/index.html