Interview on COVID-19 with Principal Research Fellow Makimoto Saeda

We spoke to Principal Research Fellow Makimoto Saeda of the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development (JICA Ogata Research Institute), who worked on this analysis as a member of the team, about its purpose, the message it contains and the role the JICA Ogata Research Institute should play in the future.

-Tell us the purpose and background of this analysis paper.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been causing unprecedented damage to both developed and developing countries, and it may have a major impact on the shape of the world and society in the future. JICA’s top priority partner is the people in developing countries who are now confronting COVID-19. This initiative was launched in response to JICA President Kitaoka Shinichi's strong desire to convey a message to these people about how JICA analyzes the impact of the pandemic, how JICA understands the situation and efforts in developing countries, what lessons JICA has learned from countries that were affected early by the first wave of COVID-19 to prepare for future epidemics and how JICA will engage in international cooperation going forward.

In April 2020, JICA launched the Research Team of Comparative and Pragmatic Research on Countermeasures against COVID-19, a joint team of JICA staff, JICA advisors and external experts. I participated as a health professional and also as a member of the JICA Ogata Research Institute. The team's analysis at the end of May was a quick analysis of the changing situation. In the future, this work will be transferred to a JICA Ogata Research Institute research project, where analysis and research leading to policy recommendations will be carried out.

-Give us an overview of the message of the analysis paper.

It contains President Kitaoka's message, followed by an analysis of the current situation in Japan and the rest of the world, an international comparison of COVID-19 deaths and various socio-economic factors, and a statement of JICA's commitment.

In drafting this analysis paper, it is noteworthy that JICA, which has been providing cooperation for many years in various sectors around the world, tried to leverage its strengths. In concrete terms, JICA used its network of nearly 100 overseas offices to gather information in the field and conduct interviews with its counterparts, government leaders and experts in various countries, in an attempt to gain a broad understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on society, the state of countermeasures, which demonstrate originality and ingenuity, and people's expectations for JICA.

COVID-19 spread rapidly throughout the world in a few months. However, we found that many developing country governments have been taking thorough, strong measures from an early stage, based on their own experience in responding to infectious diseases and disasters in the past, information on responses from other countries, and available scientific evidence. We also found that, amid the global shortage of medical equipment and consumables and limited assistance from developed countries, citizens have been voluntarily taking actions such as supplying goods and preventing infection in many countries across sectors. On the other hand, we also saw the actual state of social vulnerability, in which vulnerable groups are bearing the brunt of backlashes to strong countermeasures such as lockdowns. This information could be gathered even in a short period of time because each overseas office has cultivated a strong network with stakeholders through daily relationships of trust.

Since JICA has always emphasized sharing Japan's experience and practical knowledge in cooperation if applicable, it has organized information on Japan's COVID-19 response and conducted an international comparative analysis using data from international organizations. For example, we analyzed trends by correlating data such as GDP per capita, obesity rate, aging rate and urban residence rate, with the number of deaths due to COVID-19 per population.

Based on narratives from the field and more objective data comparisons, JICA will work with people in developing countries more than ever to respond to COVID-19, strengthen health systems in the medium and long term and build up communities. This is precisely the message of this analysis paper.

On the other hand, COVID-19 has made us aware that we cannot adequately respond to today's threats with conventional measures to fight infectious diseases and strengthen health systems. Particularly prominent are the fact that vulnerable people are not adequately protected, the collapse of health care delivery system in many countries, and the need to address health risk factors in all sectors. We will need a more multi-sectoral approach, more scientific-evidence-based cooperation and stronger solidarity through public empowerment. Right now, researchers and practitioners around the world are working to address this threat. I hope JICA’s unique perspective will be incorporated into its projects and JICA Ogata Research Institute’s new project will contribute to addressing this threat.

■ Profile
Completed a master’s degree in science (Health Science), University of Tokyo. Joined JICA in 1995 and worked in Medical Cooperation Department. Transferred to the Expanded Programme on Immunization, Western Pacific Regional Office, World Health Organization, and served in JICA's Grant Aid Department; Planning Department; Infectious Control Division, Human Development Department; Bangladesh Office; Health Group, Human Development Department; and Laos Office. Has been in her current position since August 2017.