ブックタイトル佐藤栄作論文集９～１６

概要

佐藤栄作論文集９～１６

第14回最優秀賞huge increase in ODA since 1987 a philosophy of aid has taken shape, culminating inthe ODA Charter, based upon the idea of‘people-centred development’. Emphasizingself- sufficiency rather than dependence and a broad conception of peace andsecurity form the backbone of Japan’s professed ODA ethos. Giving impetus to this,in 1996 Prime Minister Hashimoto launched the‘Initiative for a Caring World’forthe industrialized world to step-up the transference of experience and wisdom todeveloping countries.Japan has accepted that“ODA plays a vital role in serving Japan’s national interest”in terms of trade and investment benefits in the long-term, securing a stable supplyof foreign resources, and addressing problems in developing countries - such asenvironmental degradation - which can have a harmful effect upon Japan. 20Thereis nothing selfish about this; it makes sense politically. Thus a broad definition ofnational interest is clear and logical: a developed and stable world benefits Japan. Thisis combined with helping people to help themselves. This goes some way to explainthe emphasis upon technical assistance and loans rather than grants: encouragingcountries by creating incentives and responsibilities.What is important to this assessment of Japan’s internationalist credentials in thePrinciples of the ODA Charter is the normative underpinning: that attention must bepaid to environmental protection, trends in recipient countries’military expenditures,and the promotion of democratization and human rights in recipient countries. Thisindicates a clear agenda which could bring enormous change for good and a great dealof respect for Japan, if it were effectively applied. However, there are two obstaclesto this: exerting overt leverage in the interests of subjective values, such as humanrights, does not sit comfortably with the overriding communitarian ethos of Japanesepolitical culture; and such humanist principles have not been prioritized in the context20 Japan’s ODA, pp.4 and 13-15.537