ODA Topics 7
ODA Public Relations
Learn more about Japan’s ODA Activities that Bring Benefits to the World, and the Contributions of the Japanese People!
● Information dissemination about development cooperation
According to a Cabinet Office public opinion survey*1 conducted in 2020, in response to the growing awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 85.7% of respondents answered that in development cooperation in the future “Japan should more actively promote development cooperation” or “The current level of development cooperation is appropriate,” indicating a positive evaluation for development cooperation. ODA, public funds for promoting such development cooperation, is a vital diplomatic tool to address global issues such as infectious diseases and climate change in collaboration with the international community, as well as to improve Japan’s standing in the international community.
In order to further promote understanding of the need for ODA and what it actually is, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is actively engaged in public relations efforts through various types of media, including the MOFA website, email newsletters, social media, and YouTube, and works to disseminate information broadly to the public.
● Documentary series
Documentary series
Go! ODA-Man
The “ODA Challengers” series*2 is a series of documentary-style videos that introduces the actual frontlines of ODA projects. The series covers subjects such as a female engineer making strenuous efforts on a subway construction site in India; technicians striving to resolve issues in the Olkaria Geothermal Power Development Project in Kenya; and a human resource development project in Laos conducted by a construction company from Wakasa Town, Fukui Prefecture. A video about a geological survey company from Sapporo, Hokkaido, taking on the challenge of repairing and maintaining wells in Bolivia depicts a story where the company and employees were able to grow together through their first overseas expansion.
MOFA also released a video series named “Japanese People Shaping the Future of the World,”*3 which explores the enthusiasm of frontrunners who are actively involved in disaster risk reduction, peacebuilding, health and medical care, and other fields, through dialogue with them based on the theme of “Human Security.” MOFA appointed author and TV personality Mr. MATAYOSHI Naoki as the host of this series.
● Go! ODA-Man
In addition, ODA-Man, who enters the fourth year as MOFA’s ODA PR character (see also “Strengthening public relations and information dissemination”), has also released a variety of videos*4 to inform people about Japan’s ODA that contributes the world. In 2021, three videos focused on assistance in the infrastructure sector, including roads, ports, and railroads, were released: “ODA on the Road to Development,” “A Partner‘ship’ in Port Development!,” and “Envisioning the Future through Urban Railroads.” Please take advantage of those videos in school and university classes as a beginners’ guide to ODA.
● Global Festa JAPAN 2021
In October 2021, the international cooperation event Global Festa JAPAN*5 was held for the first time in two years. The theme of this year, the 30th year, was “Toward a Society with Rich Diversity—Let’s Talk about the Future We Want.” There was an on-stage program with appearances from a wide array of guests, as well as experience-based events, including exhibitions and activity reports from NGOs, international organizations, private companies, universities and other entities working in international cooperation. The event was held in a hybrid format combining on-site participation and online streaming, and a total of over 10,000 people attended on-site or participated online over the two days.
MOFA held panel discussions and talk sessions focused on diversity, regional revitalization and the overseas expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the participation of the younger generation. Moreover, there was a record high of 234 entries in MOFA’s customary photo contest, in which professional photographer Mr. AOKI Hiroshi and Mr. YONEYAMA Kazuhisa of Leica Camera Japan Co., Ltd. served as judges and selected the winning works. The results are available in the event report5 on the ODA website.
*1 The FY2020 Public Opinion Survey on Diplomacy took place from October to December 2020. The Cabinet Office entrusted it to a survey organization, which implemented a mail survey of 3,000 Japanese nationals aged 18 and over across Japan (https://survey.gov-online.go.jp/r02/r02-gaiko/index.html (in Japanese only)).
*2 https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/sanka/page24_000070.html (in Japanese only)
*3 https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/sanka/page23_001312.html (in Japanese only)
*4 https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/press/event/page22_001008.html (in Japanese only)
*5 https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/press/event/page23_001313.html (in Japanese only)