Past Research Projects

Japan’s International Cooperation in Education: History and Prospects

Since its inception in the 1950s, Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) has emphasized education as an enabler to achieve various development goals. This study examines trends and features of Japan’s international cooperation in basic education, TVET and higher education from the 1950s, investigating how cooperation has been shaped and administered by various stakeholders such as the Government of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), researchers and other actors.

The research has culminated in the publication of the edited English volume "Japan’s International Cooperation in Education: History and Prospects," based on a Japanese monograph previously published under the same project. The book features a comprehensive analysis of the aims, contributions, challenges and achievements of Japan’s international cooperation in education, providing not only a chronicle of the history of such efforts but also recommendations to guide future policy and implementation.

Chapters 1-15 can be read online by accessing the PDF file in the “Related Links” section at the bottom of the page (PDF download not available). Links to video introductions for most chapters are also provided.

Book details including table of contents are as follows.

Book title: Japan’s International Cooperation in Education: History and Prospects.

Editors:
Nobuko Kayashima
Senior Research Advisor, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development (JICA Ogata Research Institute）

Kazuo Kuroda
Professor, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University /Visiting Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Research Institute

Yuto Kitamura
Professor, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo/ Visiting Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Research Institute

Contents:

[Chapter 1]
Japan’s International Cooperation in Education: An Overview
-Nobuko Kayashima, JICA Ogata Research Institute
-Kazuo Kuroda, Waseda University/ Visiting Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Research Institute
-Yuto Kitamura, The University of Tokyo/ Visiting Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Research Institute

Part I International Education Cooperation Policy

[Chapter 2]
Japan’s International Education Cooperation Policy before 1990: Controversy and Hesitancy Toward Interventions for Basic Education
-Yasuo Saito, National Institute for Educational Policy Research

[Chapter 3]
The Evolution of Japan’s International Education Cooperation Policy after 1990: Between the Discourse of International Development and Domestic Factors
-Kazuhiro Yoshida, Hiroshima University

Part II Basic Education Cooperation

[Chapter 4]
Japan’s International Cooperation in the Field of School Construction: Evolution Amid Changing Internal and External Policy Landscape
-Taeko Okitsu, Otsuma Women's University

[Chapter 5]
Improvement of Teachers’ Classroom Practices for Quality Teaching and Learning: The Japanese Approaches
-Shinichi Ishihara, Research and University Management Capacity at Vietnam-Japan University (VJU), Hanoi, Vietnam
-Jun Kawaguchi, University of Tsukuba

[Chapter 6]
Capacity Development in Education Governance and Improvement in School-Based Management: The Japanese Approaches
-Yoko Ishida, Hiroshima University
-Taeko Okitsu, Otsuma Women's University

Part III Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Cooperation

[Chapter 7]
Japan’s Governmental Assistance in TVET for Industrial Human Resource Development: Changing Patterns of JICA’s Project-Based Cooperation
-Shoko Yamada, Nagoya University
-Astushi Tsujimoto, JICA Ogata Research Institute
-Yuki Shimazu, Nagoya University

[Chapter 8]
Private Sector-Led Cooperation in Industrial Human Resource Development: The Case of the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS)
-Yuki Shimazu, Nagoya University
-Astushi Tsujimoto, JICA Ogata Research Institute
-Shoko Yamada, Nagoya University

Part IV Higher Education Cooperation

[Chapter 9]
Japan’s ODA for the Development of Higher Education Institutions in Developing Countries: Supporting Leading Universities for Human Resource Development and Knowledge Creation and Diffusion
-Nobuko Kayashima, JICA Ogata Research Institute

[Chapter 10]
Japan’s ODA Scholarship Programs for International Students: Supporting Japan’s Intellectual Contribution to the International Community
-Miki Sugimura, Sophia University/ Visiting Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Research Institute
-Nobuko Kayashima, JICA Ogata Research Institute

Part V Various Programs and Actors of International Education Cooperation

[Chapter 11]
Japan‘s Evolving Partnerships with International Organizations in the Education Sector: A Retrospective Review from 1950s-2000s
-Naoko Arakawa, Independent Consultant
-Yuto Kitamura, The University of Tokyo/ Visiting Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Research Institute

[Chapter 12]
Japanese NGOs for Education: From Service Providers to Change Agents
-Takafumi Miyake, The Japan NGO Network for Education (JNNE)
-Rie Koarai, The Japan NGO Network for Education (JNNE)/ Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)

[Chapter 13]
Japan’s ODA Loans for Education: Cooperation for Self-Reliant Development Through Human Resource Development and Promotion of Multilayered Mutual Exchange
-Izuru Kimura, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

[Chapter 14]
Civil Participation for 50 Years: Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers
-Hideki Maruyama, Sophia University

[Chapter 15]
Reconsidering Japan’s international Cooperation in Education
-Kazuo Kuroda, Waseda University/ Visiting Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Research Institute
-Nobuko Kayashima, JICA Ogata Research Institute
-Yuto Kitamura, The University of Tokyo/ Visiting Research Fellow, JICA Ogata Research Institute

*Author affiliations and position titles reflect those held at the time of publication.