Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Between 1989 and 2000, Japan was the largest foreign aid donor in the world. Meanwhile, Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) had played a prominent role in Japan’s foreign policy. Yet public recognition of Japan’s ODA as a critical foreign policy tool seems low, and the effectiveness of this foreign policy is uncertain. Therefore, this paper analyzes Japan’s national interests and how Japan’s foreign aid attained its foreign policy goals. First, Japanese national interests will be examined by content analysis using white papers prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Second, it surveys Japan’s foreign aid policy as a foreign policy tool. Third, this study attempts to assess if Japan’s national interests were achieved while Japan was one of the largest ODA donors in the world. Quantitative studies reveal whether Japan’s ODA provided positive impact on Japanese economic, diplomatic, and security interests. Finally, the research findings suggest how Japan should define and formulate its foreign aid policy as a foreign policy tool in the future.