Japanese ODA Policy in the 21st Century: Case studies of Diplomacy in East Asia

• Main Authors: Tsung-Yu Tsou, 鄒宗佑
• Other Authors: Tung-Chieh Tsai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/64942556339094382009

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 國際政治研究所 === 99 === After World WarII, Japan was occupied by Allied Forces, and General Headquarters (GHQ）was the highest governing authority. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru coordinated with US General Douglas MacArthur to draft the “Peace Constitution of Japan.” At the same time, a whole new developmental roadmap called the “Yoshida Doctrine” was adopted. The Yoshida Doctrine guided Japan to become a great economic power for the next 50 years. Japanese foreign policy was also guided by the Yoshida Doctrine and the trends in international aid at the time. Japan focused on coordinative diplomacy and economical diplomacy in Asia and the rest of the world. By adoping Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy, Japan can develop its soft power. This thesis discusses three dimensions. First, to introduce Japan’s ODA policy during the Cold War, its working model, and the institutes responsible for implementation. The effectiveness of ODA is also analyzed. Second, how Japan’s ODA policy evolved from the post-cold war era to the early 21st century. Third, case studies from 2001 to 2009 are provided to analyze Japan’s use of ODA in economic diplomacy, as it provided assistance in the east Asian region (e.g., China, ASEAN members: Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, and Laos). These case studies are analyzed using Realism Theory to determine whether Japan achieved its great politic power goal. Based on this research, we conclude that ODA is an important instrument in Japan’s diplomatic arsenal, since Japan cannot have military forces. Japan’s ODA policy varied over time so that it can be most effective according to the state of the world. That meant different aid projects and areas to direct money. Nevertheless, there are still many open issues Japan needs to address in its ODA policy: whether the policy is transparent, where reforms need to be made, and more follow-up to determine effectiveness.