Japan’s Foreign Ministry on June 29 called for the revision of Japan 's official development assistance (ODA) charter to enhance efficiency of Japanese aid.
A ministry report to review ODA policy said assistance should be given to such priority areas as poverty reduction, peace-building efforts and the promotion of sustainable growth, including projects aimed at tackling climate change.
The report stressed that peace and prosperity in the world also serve Japan's national interests.
The document, compiled by a ministry task force with advice from non-governmental aid organisations and business representatives, also seeks increased funds provided by the private sector and through the so-called “innovative financing mechanisms” such as a taxation system for airline ticket purchases adopted by France and the Republic of Korea.
The report also called for boosting Japan 's aid in overseas infrastructure projects that would also contribute to stimulating its economic growth through technology exports. It also called on Japan to provide yen loans to middle-income countries, to which it mainly offers technical assistance at present.
The Kyodo news said Japan’s ODA charter was last revised in August 2003, citing a ministry official as saying that it would take about a year for the government to amend the charter.
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said at a press conference the same day that the government should consider providing USD-denominated loans instead of yen-denominated ones to avert exchange risks.
In order to enhance ODA efficiency, he said, the government should also take a coordinated approach to offer aid under a grand scheme, rather than responding to recipient nations' requests for individual projects.
With its aid being reduced for the 11th straight year, Japan has tumbled from the world’s top position to fifth place in terms of ODA disbursements and has remained at that rank in recent years./.
A ministry report to review ODA policy said assistance should be given to such priority areas as poverty reduction, peace-building efforts and the promotion of sustainable growth, including projects aimed at tackling climate change.
The report stressed that peace and prosperity in the world also serve Japan's national interests.
The document, compiled by a ministry task force with advice from non-governmental aid organisations and business representatives, also seeks increased funds provided by the private sector and through the so-called “innovative financing mechanisms” such as a taxation system for airline ticket purchases adopted by France and the Republic of Korea.
The report also called for boosting Japan 's aid in overseas infrastructure projects that would also contribute to stimulating its economic growth through technology exports. It also called on Japan to provide yen loans to middle-income countries, to which it mainly offers technical assistance at present.
The Kyodo news said Japan’s ODA charter was last revised in August 2003, citing a ministry official as saying that it would take about a year for the government to amend the charter.
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said at a press conference the same day that the government should consider providing USD-denominated loans instead of yen-denominated ones to avert exchange risks.
In order to enhance ODA efficiency, he said, the government should also take a coordinated approach to offer aid under a grand scheme, rather than responding to recipient nations' requests for individual projects.
With its aid being reduced for the 11th straight year, Japan has tumbled from the world’s top position to fifth place in terms of ODA disbursements and has remained at that rank in recent years./.
