Friday, October 8th, 2004

Tokyo Seminar on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Japan’s International Cooperation

Enhanced Partnership is Key to Poverty Reduction and Economic Growth

In order for developing countries to most effectively achieve poverty reduction and economic growth, Japan, a donor country of the largest magnitude and the World Bank must further strengthen their partnership. This was the resounding message that emerged from discussions at a public seminar held in Tokyo, co-sponsored by the World Bank and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance.

Opening the seminar, Shigekazu Sato, Director-General of the Economic Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Looking back the 50 years of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA), it is notable that the relationship between the World Bank and Japan is of particular significance. Based on this partnership, we would like to further enhance our collaboration with the World Bank in building assistance strategy and coordinating in the fields."

The Bank was established in 1944 at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, to help rebuild Europe after the Second World War. Japan became a member country in 1952, and received loans for 31 projects, including the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Fourth Kurobe Dam, which helped lay the foundations for Japan's unprecedented economic growth. In October 1954, Japan decided to participate in the Colombo Plan, which marked the beginning of its ODA to developing countries.

In his introductory presentation, Tom C. Tsui, Deputy Special Representative of the World Bank in Japan, pointed out that Japan is supporting poverty reduction and economic growth in developing countries through contributions to the International Development Association (IDA) and World Bank trust funds, and is sharing expertise through joint research and studies, all of which have made Japan's partnership with the World Bank one of mutual and vital importance.

Talking about the future of the partnership between Japan and the World Bank in his keynote presentation, Kyosuke Shinozawa, Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) stated, "it is not merely the pursuit of economic growth that is important, it is also necessary to raise the income level of those in poverty, and improve living conditions. In other words, economic growth (Pro Poor Growth) must be compatible with and useful to poverty reduction." He added, "what will be required still more in the future is enhanced policy dialogue with local stakeholders, harmonization of assistance to achieve greater efficiency, and cooperation in both the hard and soft aspects of infrastructure development. Furthermore, based on the concept of "human security" as incorporated into Japan's ODA Charter, as well as "peace-building" as one of the priority issues, it is important for Japan to cooperate with the World Bank in the area of reconstruction assistance."

The seminar included a Panel Discussion, moderated by Mitsuya Araki, President and Chief Editor, The International Development Journal Co., Ltd., which was hooked up to five locations around the world from the World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC). The following participants took part as panelists, each giving examples of partnership from his particular perspective:

In Tokyo, Takehiko Nakao, Director, Co-ordination Division, International Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Japan spoke about the implementation of effective and strategic Japanese ODA, and Toru Taguchi, Director General, Institute for International Cooperation, Japan International Cooperation Agency reported on JICA's efforts towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

In Vietnam, Masayuki Karasawa, Chief Representative, JBIC in Vietnam shared the example of Vietnam's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) consultation process, an exemplary case of donor institutions, including Japan and the World Bank deepening their cooperation in developing countries.

In Bangladesh, Matsushiro Horiguchi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the People's Republic of Bangladesh reported on the construction of a cooperative structure among related organizations including the Japanese Embassy, JBIC and JICA, that has come to be known as the "Bangladesh model."

Finally, in Kitakyushu, Koichi Sueyoshi, Mayor, City of Kitakyushu spoke about the role for local governments in international cooperation, giving the example of the "Kitakyushu Initiative," and in Nagoya, Hisae Nakanishi, Dean, Graduate School of International Development introduced his views on the role for universities in international cooperation.

Closing the seminar, Yukio Yoshimura, Vice President and Special Representative of the World Bank in Japan stated, "Japan has accumulated a wealth of skills, experience and know-how through its pursuit of economic growth from post-war reconstruction and with the help of international cooperation. There are many developing countries both in Asia and Africa that require such know-how. Here in Japan we are seeking to deepen the understanding of as many people as possible concerning the poverty that still exists in developing countries, and what Japan and the World Bank can do together in partnership to tackle global development issues."

From September to November this year, the Japanese government is planning a variety of events and seminars to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Japan's international cooperation, both at home and abroad, including the opening of Town Meetings by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the International Cooperation Festival. The World Bank is also planning a number of events, kicking off with this seminar, including more videoconferences and seminars on partnership between Japan and the World Bank in tackling development and poverty reduction in developing countries, and events at the Public Information Center (PIC) in Tokyo.

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Related Links

For information concerning other commemorative events being undertaken by the Japanese government, please visit
http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/sanka/kouhou/50/kinenjigyo.html

Please refer to the following website for information concerning other commemorative events being undertaken by The World Bank:
http://www.worldbank.or.jp/top.html
(Japanese)