ODA Topics 5

ODA Public Relations
– Bringing ODA Closer to the Public –

■Communicating Japan’s Development Cooperation

According to a public opinion surveyNote 1 conducted by Japan’s Cabinet Office in 2023, 79.4% of respondents indicated that, regarding the future of development cooperation, it should be either “more actively promoted” or “maintained at the current level,” reflecting positive public support. This positive public opinion is driven by a growing awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as a broader understanding—amid the multiple crises facing the international community, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine—that countries must work together to address global challenges such as disasters and infectious diseases. There is also a growing recognition that development cooperation contributes to ensuring the stable supply of energy and other resources, that it is necessary to enhance trust in Japan within the international community, and that it serves as an important tool for strategically advancing Japan’s foreign policy.

This column highlights several initiatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) to communicate information and policies regarding the significance of Japan’s development cooperation.

■70th Anniversary Commemoration of Japan’s Official Development Assistance

2024 marks the 70th anniversary since the inception of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). MOFA, in collaboration with JICA and other relevant organizations, designated this milestone year as an opportunity to reflect on the role ODA has played over the past seven decades and to engage the Japanese public in discussions on the future of international cooperation. To commemorate this occasion, various event were held, including the International Cooperation 70th Anniversary Kick-off Event in Kobe in March, the International Cooperation MIRAI Conference in May, Global Festa JAPAN 2024 in September, and the Symposium to Commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Japan’s ODA in December.

The Symposium to Commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Japan’s ODA, held at the United Nations University on December 17

■Television Dramas

MOFA also produces public outreach content featuring well-known figures to reach a wider audience.

As one of these initiatives, the Ministry produces and broadcasts the TV drama series “The First Step” with TV personality and author Mr. MATAYOSHI Naoki as the host. The series, set in MOFA’s International Cooperation Bureau and the field sites of international cooperation, explores Japan’s development efforts. In 2024, the third installment, “The First Step 3: Sekai wo Tsunagu Heiwa e no Negai [A Wish for Peace That Connects the World],” was released. Centered on Japan’s support for mine clearance in Cambodia, the drama follows a young man’s personal growth through interactions with diverse individuals, driven by his desire for a peaceful, conflict-free world.

The third installment of the TV drama series “The First Step 3: Sekai wo Tsunagu Heiwa e no Negai” (Japanese only), set in MOFA’s International Cooperation Bureau and actual cooperation sites

■Go! ODA-Man

ODA-Man, now in his seventh year as MOFA’s ODA PR character (see also Part V, Section 4 (2)), has continued to raise awareness of Japan’s ODA efforts around the world through various video episodes. In 2024, three new episodes were released: “ODA-Man Goes! The 70th Anniversary of International Cooperation Edition,” which looks back on 70 years of ODA and highlights its significance, “The 100-Year Journey of Japan and Türkiye;” and “The SATREPSNote 2 Edition.”

Go, ODA-Man!

■Global Festa JAPAN 2024

“Global Festa JAPAN 2024,” a major international development and cooperation event, took place on September 28-29, 2024. Marking its 33rd edition, the event was held under the theme “70 Years of International Cooperation—Together into the Future.” Approximately 200 organizations working in the field of international cooperation—including NGOs, NPOs, international organizations, companies, universities, and foreign embassies in Japan—set up exhibition booths at the event. It also featured live sessions with diverse guests, experiential workshops, and food and merchandise booths offering cuisine and cultural items from various countries. With a combined audience of in-person attendees and online viewers, the event attracted approximately 74,000 participants, a significant increase over the previous year.

MOFA launched the event with an opening ceremony, followed by various sessions and activities. These included an on-stage presentation by ODA-Man explaining “Co-creation for common agenda initiative”Note 3 in simple terms, a session on how ODA can support the overseas expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises, a quiz segment introducing how ODA is connected to everyday food ingredients, and a talk featuring individuals working on the front lines of mine clearance and reconstruction support in Cambodia. The Ministry also held the award ceremony for its annual ministerial photo contest.Note 4 Under the theme “A World Where Everyone Shines for the First Step!”, the contest received many submissions filled with smiling faces, and award-winning works were selected from among 350 entries. Other activities included a career seminar for those interested in working in international organizations hosted by MOFA’s Recruitment Center for International Organizations, and a session reporting on NGO activities in international cooperation, attended by officials from MOFA’s Non-Governmental Organizations Cooperation Division of the International Cooperation Bureau and NGO representatives. For details, please refer to the event reportNote 5 on the ODA section of the Ministry’s website.

Stage event: “Sekai wo Tsunagu Heiwa e no Negai— Weaving the Future through Mine Clearance Support”

Then Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hosaka delivering remarks at the opening ceremony of Global Festa JAPAN 2024

The Lobby Gallery, featuring exhibits by foreign embassies in Japan, international organizations, NGOs and others. MOFA also participated with a booth that aimed to clearly explain how Japan’s ODA contributes globally.

■ODA Email Newsletter, ODA Public Relations X

MOFA publishes an ODA email newsletter monthly, which is also available on the ministry’s website. In addition, it shares information about ODA on the social media platform X. As of December 2024, the newsletter has about 20,000 subscribers, and MOFA’s X account has over 13,000 followers.

MOFA’s ODA account on X

ODA email newsletter

Key visual for the 70th Anniversary of International Cooperation

Note 1 The FY2023 Public Opinion Survey on Diplomacy was conducted from September to October 2023 by a research agency commissioned by the Cabinet Office. The survey was administered by mail to 3,000 Japanese nationals aged 18 and over across the country (Cabinet Office Public Opinion Survey: https://survey.gov-online.go.jp/r05/r05-gaiko/index.html [in Japanese only]).

Note 2 See the glossary.

Note 3 See Part I, Section 2 (2) and Part V, Section 2 (2).

Note 4 Report on the MOFA Photo Contest “A World Where Everyone Shines for the First Step!” https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/press/event/pagew_001313_00001.html (in Japanese only)
See also Special Photograph Collection (1) for the photographs submitted to the contest.

Note 5 Global Festa JAPAN 2024 event report https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/press/event/pagew_000001_00233.html (in Japanese only)