According to the fiscal 2002 White Paper on Official Development Assistance (ODA) compiled by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ODA expenditures on environmental projects in fiscal 2001 was 222.2 billion yen (about US $1.9 billion), accounting for 18.9 percent of total ODA.

Environmental ODA has been decreasing since peaking in 1999 at 535.7 billion yen (US $4.5 billion), or 33.5 percent of total ODA. In 2001, it dropped to its lowest level, falling significantly below 1997 expenditures of 244.7 billion yen (US $2.1 billion), or 14.5 percent of total ODA. Reflecting Japan's current economic and financial situation and public criticism of ODA, total ODA budgets have also been on the decline.

Moving further ahead with its ODA reforms, the Japanese government plans to give priority to assistance in the Asian region, and emphasize peace-building and human security, while promoting public participation in ODA and face-to-face assistance. The government has also started reviewing Japan's ODA Charter in order to further clarify its ODA principles and strategies.

At the same time, Western countries have increased their ODA expenditures, influenced by a variety of factors, such as growing concern over poverty and other global issues in a context of globalization, together with the immense impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/white/2002/index.html

Posted: 2003/06/17 09:20:53 AM
Japanese version

TAG Government , System/Law