Japan's Official Development Assistance Program
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Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) Program is a program established by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to provide economic aid to developing countries. The ODA started on October 5, 1954, when Japan joined the Colombo Plan. Initially, the ODA program also oversaw the reparation issue to Asian countries that Japan occupied in World War II, like Burma and the Philippines.
As its ODA grew in magnitude and coverage, there has emerged in Japan toward the end of the 1970s a movement to redefine the philosophies and objectives of its ODA. And summing up the consensus view that had emerged from such debate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published in 1978 The Current State of Economic Cooperation, and Its Outlook: The North-South Problem and Development Assistance. In that book, the Ministry pointed out the following two points as significance of Japan's economic cooperation:
1.Japan can ensure its security and prosperity only in a peaceful and stable world. One of the most appropriate means for Japan to contribute to the peace and stability of the world is assistance to developing countries.
2.Japan is closely interdependent with developing countries since it is able to secure natural resources only through trade with those countries. Therefore, it is essential to maintain friendly relations with developing countries for Japan's economic growth.
As of 1993, Japan has become the second largest donor in the world with its ODA Program. Also, 150 countries and region have become recipients of the ODA by 1993.
