October will mark the 70th anniversary of Japan joining the Colombo Plan, through which Japan initiated assistance, starting with technical cooperation, to other countries in Asia. The Development Cooperation Charter, which outlines Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy, was revised in June 2023. The Charter now emphasizes the importance of development cooperation in achieving Japan’s national interests, including peace, security, and economic growth.
Though ODA has always been linked to Japan’s national interest, the explicit connection was not highlighted in the past. Initially, Japan focused on contributing to the economic development of emerging countries without directly stating the connection to its national interest.
Japan’s involvement in the Colombo Plan was a strategic move to re-enter the international community post-World War II. The shift towards Southeast Asia after losing access to the Chinese market further solidified Japan’s overseas economic policy. ODA played a crucial role in establishing relations, making amends, and promoting Japanese exports while meeting the expectations of Western countries as Japan became an economic powerhouse.
As Japan’s interests evolved, the need to explicitly state ODA’s role in pursuing national interest arose. Growing fiscal constraints, changing security environments, and geopolitical shifts necessitated a strategic approach to ODA. Recent administrations have emphasized the link between ODA and national interest, framing it as a diplomatic tool in creating a favorable international environment for Japan.
Challenges facing Japan’s ODA include fiscal constraints, declining significance for Asian countries, and the need for strategic project selection. Despite the ambitious scope of the new Development Cooperation Charter, Japan must navigate financial limitations, private sector involvement, and evolving regional dynamics to effectively contribute to global peace and prosperity.
OBA Mie is a professor at Kanagawa University.