Open Seminar: Normative framework of Japan’s bilateral development cooperation in comparative perspective

In the context of current debates about the future of North-South aid in the changing landscape of development cooperation, this seminar explores normative frameworks of Japanese bilateral aid in comparison with Southern and DAC donors, drawing on the working paper written jointly by Ms. Sakiko Fukuda-Parr (福田パー咲子), Distinguished Fellow of JICA Research Institute (Professor of the New School), and Mr. Hiroaki Shiga, Senior Research Fellow of JICA-RI.

In the paper, the authors explore how donors’ conception of aid is shaped by their identity within the international community and concerned with the type of hierarchical relationship it wishes to create with the recipient. They find that while Japan follows DAC norms, it has attempted to accommodate them within a distinctive paradigm of aid that has roots in post-war reconstruction efforts. Many of core norms of Japanese aid lie outside of the consensus DAC paradigm and overlap with those of South-South cooperation. Drawing on anthropological theory of the gift, they argue that the normative framing of Japan and Southern donors contrast with that of the DAC donors particularly in attempting to neutralize the power asymmetry that characterizes donor-recipient relationships. While Southern donors are seeking to create a relationship of solidarity, Japan has sought to create a cooperative relationship necessary for mutually beneficial economic ties of trade and investment, and both contrasting with the charitable relationship created by North-South aid. They argue that these values shape policy approaches in aid models. In showing that the values that inform southern and Japanese donors lie outside of the DAC framework, they highlight the limitations of the DAC paradigm.

16:00-16:05　Opening Remarks
Naohiro Kitano, Director, JICA Research Institute (TBC)

16:05-16:50　Presentation
Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, Distinguished Fellow, JICA Research Institute (Professor, The New School)
Hiroaki Shiga, Senior Research Fellow, JICA Research Institute

16:50-17:15　Comments
Yasutami Shimomura, Professor Emeritus, Hosei University

17:15-17:55　Q&A

17:55-18:00　Closing Remarks
Nobuko Kayashima, Deputy Director, JICA Research Institute (TBC)

Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, Distinguished Fellow, JICA Research Institute (Professor, The New School)
Yasutami Shimomura, Professor Emeritus, Hosei University
Hiroaki Shiga, Senior Research Fellow, JICA Research Institute

JICA Research Institute (E. Masui)

TEL：03-3269-2357　E-mail：ditas-rsunit@jica.go.jp

This event has ended.