Japan's International Cooperation

Japan's International Cooperation

White Paper on Development Cooperation 2018 定価(本体 2,200円+税) White Paper on Development Cooperation 2018 Japan’s International Cooperation Japan’s International Cooperation Japan’s White Paper on Development Cooperation 2018 Japan’s International Cooperation Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs White Paper on Development Cooperation 2018 Japan’s International Cooperation Ministry of Foreign Affairs [Cover photograph] [Back cover photograph] Ms. Minami Furukawa, a Japan Overseas Mr. Seiichiro Koto, a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) acting as Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) a referee in a game of tug of war at the interacting with children at a UNDOKAI held at an elementary school in village in western Kenya (Photo: the Kasungu district in central Malawi. Three Yosuke Koike) JOCVs appointed to the district collaborated with the local teachers, and held the UNDOKAI with the participation of three schools. See page 59 “Stories from the Field” for details. (Photo: JICA Malawi Offi ce) See page 119 “ODA Topics” for details on “ODA-Man.” This White Paper can also be viewed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website on the White Paper on Development Cooperation (https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/ oda/page_000017.html). All titles of individuals given in this White Paper are those that were current at the time of the applicable events. Foreword As a consequence of the progress of globalization, responding to global issues such as disparities and poverty, terrorism, refugees and displaced persons, climate change, issues related to the oceans including marine plastic litter, and infectious diseases has become an urgent challenge. Since it is difficult for one country alone to solve these challenge that transcend national borders, it is necessary for the entire international community, including Japan, to tackle them. For many years, Japan has been advocating the principle of “human security,” which focuses on each and every individual, and advancing the building of a country and society through the protection and empowerment of individuals in which people are free from fear and want and are able to live in dignity. Moreover, from the perspective of making a proactive contribution to peace based on the principle of international cooperation, we have been providing assistance which is based on the modernization experience of Japan and adapted to the needs of the partner country. The “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” unanimously adopted at the United Nations Summit in 2015 set up the goal of realizing societies in which “no one will be left behind” in all countries, which include not only the developing countries but also the developed countries. The concept of “no one will be left behind” reflects the principle of “human security” so I am convinced that no country is better placed than Japan, which has advocated this principle for many years, to exercise leadership for the promotion of the SDGs in the international community. Furthermore, in order to maintain and strengthen the free and open order based on the rule of law and improve connectivity through the quality infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan is accelerating its efforts to build multilayered cooperative relations and realize the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” through close collaboration with the United States, Australia, India, the ASEAN countries, the United Kingdom, France, the EU, and other related countries. Meanwhile, 2018 was a year in which Japan was hit by many natural disasters, including heavy rain events and earthquakes, and support for the afflicted areas in Japan was required. Even though Japan is facing a severe fiscal situation, as a member of the international community, it will continue to tackle the global issues that can also have an impact on Japan, and actively contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the international community, including the developing countries. The Government of Japan intends to work even harder to utilize its limited ODA budget strategically and effectively and produce proper results, while also obtaining the understanding of the people of Japan regarding the fact that providing ODA to developing countries also contributes to the national interest of Japan. For that purpose, taking into account the recommendation by the Advisory Board for ODA, Japan will move forward from the ODA implementation structure in which the government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) play the central role, and tackle various development issues in close collaboration with diverse ODA implementing entities including private companies, NGOs, local governments, universities, and others, by utilizing their respective strengths. We have also carried out a revision of the JICA volunteer system. This White Paper showcases Japan’s efforts related to development cooperation in 2018, along with examples of providing support to developing countries through local industry-government-academia cooperation that also resulted in the revitalization of these local areas. It also presents the achievements of the Japanese staff working at international organizations and Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers who embody “Japan’s visible development cooperation.” If these columns serve as an opportunity to further deepen understanding of the people working hard on the front line of development cooperation, and provide encouragement to the people who are aiming to be active on the global stage in the future, then I could have no greater joy. In 2019 the G20 Osaka Summit and the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) will be held in Japan, and the first SDGs Summit is scheduled at the United Nations in September. Japan will exert further leadership toward the solution of global issues through these kinds of international forums, with the understanding and support of the people of Japan. March 2019 Minister for Foreign Affairs KONO Taro Japan’s Development Cooperation Policy - Development Cooperation Charter - The foundation of Japan’s development cooperation policy is (1) “Quality growth” and poverty eradication through such the Development Cooperation Charter (decided by the Cabinet in growth February 2015). Japan defines its development cooperation policy Realization of economic growth is essential for reducing as being based on: adhering to the course it has taken to date as poverty, especially eradicating absolute poverty, in the world but a peace-loving nation, while contributing even more proactively it is necessary for that growth to be “quality growth” that has the to securing the peace, stability and prosperity of the international following three features: (i) “inclusiveness,” meaning that the fruits community from the perspective of “Proactive Contribution to of growth are shared within society as a whole, leaving no one Peace” based on the principle of international cooperation; and behind, (ii) “sustainability,” meaning that the growth is sustainable securing the national interests of Japan through this approach. over generations in terms of harmony with the environment, The Charter sets forth these basic policies of Japan, and stipulates sustained socio-economic growth, and addressing global warming, that Official Development Assistance (ODA) will be utilized ever among other aspects, and (iii) “resilience,” meaning being able more strategically and effectively as one of the most important to withstand and recover from economic crises, natural disasters foreign policy tools for realizing those policies. At a time when and other shocks. In pursuing poverty eradication through the development issues are becoming more diverse and complex, realization of this quality growth, Japan also provides assistance, requiring development cooperation not only by states but also by etc. to secure the foundations and the driving force for economic various actors including private companies and NGOs, ODA must growth and for people-centered development that supports basic fulfill the role of catalyst for gathering these diverse forces. human life. (2) Sharing universal values and realizing a peaceful and 1. Basic policies of the development cooperation of Japan secure society The Charter identifies the following three basic policies Stable development through “quality growth” will not be of the Japan’s development cooperation implemented for the achieved unless the rights of individuals are guaranteed, people aforementioned objectives. can engage in economic and social activities with a sense of 1) Contributing to peace and prosperity through cooperation safety, and the society is managed equitably and stably. With a for non-military purposes view to solidifying the foundations for such development, Japan Cooperation for non-military purposes is one of the most provides assistance so as to share universal values as well as to suitable modalities for international contribution for Japan as realize a peaceful, stable and secure society. In particular, working a peace-loving nation, and is an embodiment of the country’s towards sharing universal values, Japan works on assistance for sincere aspirations for the peace and prosperity of the international the establishment of the rule of law, the realization of good community. Under this policy, Japan will continue to comply with governance, the promotion and consolidation of democratization, the principle of avoiding any use of development cooperation for and respect for basic human rights including

View Full Text

Details

  • File Type
    pdf
  • Upload Time
    -
  • Content Languages
    English
  • Upload User
    Anonymous/Not logged-in
  • File Pages
    169 Page
  • File Size
    -

Download

Channel Download Status
Express Download Enable

Copyright

We respect the copyrights and intellectual property rights of all users. All uploaded documents are either original works of the uploader or authorized works of the rightful owners.

  • Not to be reproduced or distributed without explicit permission.
  • Not used for commercial purposes outside of approved use cases.
  • Not used to infringe on the rights of the original creators.
  • If you believe any content infringes your copyright, please contact us immediately.

Support

For help with questions, suggestions, or problems, please contact us