In the fifth of a series of discussions on the future of Japanese ODA, Izumi Ohno, Professor, GRIPS Development Forum Project, delivered a lecture “Toward Japan’s New ODA” at JOICFP on 28th May. (Session 1 Session 2 Sessions 3 & 4)

Ohno stressed that ODA needed a clear vision and strategy, as well as strengthening the system of ODA planning and implementation.

She said that the strategy required two-tired approaches: one to protect Japan’s national interests, i.e. protecting the lives of Japanese citizens, such as energy, resources, food and trade/investment; and an international approach covering areas such as peace building, poverty and famine reduction, disease control, gender inequality, and the MDGs.

Saying that ODA, as one instrument of Japan’s national strategy, has to meet both national and international interests, she also said that it has to respond to the needs of developing countries.

Izumi Ohno

Regarding planning and implementation, Ohno explained differences in the system of development assistance in the USA, the UK and Japan, saying that Japan’s ODA functions of strategy, policy and implementation need to be further strengthened, also focusing on perspectives of the private sector and Japanese citizens.

Responding to a question from the audience, Ohno explained that ODA must be made relevant to the lives of the Japanese public so they could see how it helped people at the grassroots, and this would raise support for ODA.

Japan, she said, had been an aid recipient after WWII, and had then graduated to being one of the largest donor countries. Now, Ohno stated, Japan had the experience and knowledge to assist countries to ‘graduate’, especially those in East Asia, which were now partners, not recipients of aid.

There were many ways in which Japan had comparative advantages; technology, effective use of energy, infrastructure development, human resource development, disease prevention, and GO-NGO partnership, to name a few.

Taking these into consideration, Ohno said, Japan should show the global community Japan's comparative advantages and implement its aid, based on the philosophy of ‘aid for graduation’ toward fostering future partnership between Japan and the now recipient countries.

Speaking about assistance to Africa, Ohno said this was a microcosm of problems associated with Japanese ODA; lack of vision and strategy, as well as expectations from Africa on what Japan should deliver.

She said that, by clarifying a vision of its ODA to Africa and focusing on Japan’s comparative advantages in its aid to the region, Japan could bring the ‘Asian Miracle’ to Africa.