JAPAN'S PROGRESS 2004–10

In 2010, Japan exceeded its commitment to double bilateral development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa, directing $1.65 billion (¥144 billion) in bilateral ODA and $3.35 billion (¥294 billion) in total ODA to the region. Between 2004 and 2010, it increased its bilateral development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa by $1.1 billion (¥96 billion). 140% of its global increases between 2004 and 2010 were directed to sub-Saharan Africa (because in volume, development assistance to the region has increased more than Japan's increases in global development assistance).

Over the past five years, Japan has been a leader in providing technical assistance and support for water and sanitation improvements in sub-Saharan Africa. It has also been a consistent supporter of the Global Fund, pledging the fourth largest commitment among donors ($1.4 billion) between 2001 and 2011.

LOOKING AHEAD: 2010–15

Japan met its 2010 bilateral target and almost reached the volumes required to meet its pledge to double bilateral development assistance to Africa by 2012, but has no development assistance commitment that extends beyond 2012.

Japan has taken steps in the past year to define the objectives and to enhance the focus of its development programmes. In June 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) published a review of Japanese development assistance, called 'Enhancing National Enlightened Interest', which outlined a 'new way forward for Japan's ODA to respond to changes in the international and domestic environments'. In a subsequent speech at the UN Millennium Development Goals Summit in September 2010, Prime Minister Naoto Kan reiterated Japan's commitment to the MDGs and to support development efforts in Africa and Asia. He also said that in the years beyond 2010, Japanese development assistance would be focused on health, education and sustainable development.

According to the review, Japan's development assistance could decrease in the coming years. In an effort to improve the effectiveness of its development programmes, the country's new development strategy will evaluate the impact of its aid against pre-determined targets and will use this information to design and prioritise funding for future programmes. Japan is also planning to reduce the number of countries and multilateral organisations that it supports. Within these new guidelines, it is critical that Japan clarifies by exactly how much and to whom ODA might decrease, and that it continues support for effective multilaterals that work with sub-Saharan African countries, such as the Global Fund, IDA and the African Development Bank.

Japan also identifies global leadership as a key goal of its development efforts. As part of this, it has organised a follow-up meeting to the 2010 High Level MDG Summit in June 2011 to discuss progress towards achieving the MDGs. The summit will look at how to improve sectoral approaches, engage emerging donors and consider the post-MDG environment.

To improve the effectiveness of its development programmes, in 2011 Japan should implement the commitment it made towards the Accra Agenda for Action. It should also continue to work with the G8 Accountability working group and embrace the TRACK Principles, especially by clarifying the baselines for its development assistance commitments. Transparent development assistance commitments will make it possible for Japan to measure its achievements in the years to come, especially for programmes such as the Hatoyama Initiative on climate change and efforts to leverage innovative finance from private sector partnerships. Japan should also publicly clarify its plans to increase the amount of, and expand the number of countries eligible for, concessional ODA loans, to ensure that it does not exacerbate debt burdens for sub-Saharan African countries.

Given Japan's plans to decrease development assistance (by 4%, according to some reports), it should clarify how it will meet its existing pledges, such as the series of commitments made by Prime Minister Kan at the UN MDG summit in September 2010. These 'Kan Commitments' included an $800 million pledge to the Global Fund and a commitment of $5 billion between 2011 and 2015 to support vaccinations for three major infectious diseases, address global threats such as new influenza viruses and support maternal and child health, as part of a comprehensive coordinated framework strategy that goes beyond financial support. Prime Minister Kan committed to offering Japan's own heath and administrative knowledge to help in the implementation of these commitments. Additionally, the Kan Commitments provide $3.5 billion over five years as part of a comprehensive development framework to support the provision of universal education, with a particular focus on post-primary education. All these commitments will need following up in 2011.