Making and shaping of Japanese ODA policy : the case of Tsunami 2004 | |
| Author | Kurita, Emi |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.RD-05-13 |
| Subject(s) | Office practice in government--Japan Tsunamis--Japan |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The system and policies of Japanese ODA have been rather different and difficult to understand compared to other donor countries. It seems especially difficult to see where and how the policy decisions on ODA are being made, and who are making those decisions. The recent ODA reform in Japan is expected to ensure transparency, improve efficiency and encourage public participation, but how that has affected the policy process remains a question. This study has attempted to analyze the impact of various factors and actors in the Japanese ODA policy process through a case study of the Tsunami which occurred on 26 December 2004. Being an unprecedented global catastrophe, this case necessitated the most extensive emergency assistance operation in Japanese ODA history and required important policy decisions. The findings indicate that 'international concerns' established the framework for those important decisions, and 'bureaucratic realities' filled in the specifics, while 'economic and business interests' did not exercise any notable influence at least at the highest level. The key actor was MOFA which had the coordinate and decisive role throughout the process. The process was not exactly transparent, and hardly involved public participation. Overall, this study suggests that the ODA reform is still in progress. It also argues that concern for 'quantity' over 'quality' still remains to be at the core in the making and shaping of Japanese ODA policy. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Routray, Jayant K.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ahmad, Mokbul M. ;Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |