JICA's Development Study is a form of technical cooperation, which assists in planning of urgent and high priority development projects through the preparation of relevant reports. They also serve as medium for the transfer of planning methods, surveys and analytical skills to counterparts in the recipient countries.
Under the development study, a development study team composed of experts is dispatched to a recipient country and through a combination of in-country field surveys and activities in Japan, prepares a report which contributes to the promotion of an official development plan which is acknowledged as being effective for that country's social and economic development.
The development study helps in examining the feasibility and appropriate contents of a project in terms of technology, cost, organization and management. It also provides for alternate plans.
The development study report is used by the government of the recipient country as well as by international organizations and donor countries, which includes Japan. In case of Japan, many of the development study have enabled its government to achieve positive results in provision of yen loans, grant aid assistance and / or technical assistance.