Akiko Nakaya

Date of Award

12-1996

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Political Science

First Advisor

Dr. Lawrence Ziring

Second Advisor

Dr. Alan C. Isaak

Third Advisor

Dr. Peter Kobrak

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Two objectives of this study are (1) to examine the relationship between the Japanese people's perspectives and government policies toward Japan's foreign aid, and (2) to examine Japan's aid administration in Asia. Two significant aid philosophies of Japan are humanitarianism and interdependence among nations. A questionnaire survey was conducted in Japan to examine public attitudes toward Japan's foreign aid. The Japanese people support Japan's ODA. They recognize their duty to the world through its foreign aid. Both the public and the government put a high priority on humanitarianism; however, not many Japanese are aware of the interdependence factor.

Japanese aid contribution to the economic development of two Asian countries is examined. Japan's presence has expanded in Asia. Japan contributed to the development in this region through private investment and foreign aid. The developmental success of many East and South East Asian countries shows the importance of combining infrastructure investments and hard work by the people. Foreign aid alone contributes little to a country's development in this sense.

A staff shortage exists in Japan's aid administration system. It makes effective project identification difficult, especially for projects based on humanitarian considerations. The bottleneck in Japan's aid administration mechanism impedes quick response. What is now needed is more efficient administration system that can respond quickly to rapid changes in aid needs.

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