and Japanese language training, both in developing countries and in Japan. Such initiatives will be pursued not only from the perspective of human resources development, but also in view of their significance in promoting mutual understanding between Japan and developing countries. Initiatives will also be pursued in terms of their strategic importance in directly benefiting Japan's intellectual and advisory contributions to the international community. Japan will provide assistance while emphasizing the following points.

— Japan will upgrade and improve its systems for the acceptance of foreign students (including follow-up programs for foreign students returning to their home countries) in accordance with “The 100,000 Foreign Students Plan.”

— Japan will promote the exchange of personnel, including the exchange of teachers.

— In response to the increasingly diverse needs of foreign students, Japan will endeavor to improve the quality of university education for foreign students, the scholarship system for foreign students, and direct support for foreign students.

— Coordination will be pursued with the private sector, which plays a key role in assisting foreign students.

Active support will be provided for Japanese language training, which plays a central role in promoting a better understanding of Japanese culture in foreign countries and the acceptance of foreign students.

## (2) Intellectual Support

The importance of intellectual support is growing, not only for economies in transition, but also for developing countries undergoing economic development against the background of rapid economic globalization. Such countries are in particular need of intellectual support that corresponds to ongoing changes in their economic and social systems. Much of the experience and know-how accumulated by Japan in the process of its own economic development can prove highly effective in supporting the progress of developing countries. Of particular importance is support pertaining to the formulation of various types of systems and policies, including the development of legal frameworks. Utilizing Japanese human resources through the dispatch of policy advisers and other experts is effective for this purpose. Against a background of growing international interdependence in the areas of trade and investment, support in respect of such advisory services will play an important role in supporting global economic systems such as the WTO-based multilateral trading system.

In light of the above, Japan will provide the following forms of support.

— Japan will emphasize support for policy and institutional development, including the development of legal frameworks, in the following areas.

(a) The development of appropriate fiscal, financial, and other economic systems.

(b) The enhancement of policy formulation and the implementation capacities of developing countries.

(c) Promotion of a market economy.

(d) Protection of socially vulnerable groups and individuals.

(e) Prevention of pollution and preservation of natural environment.

— Japan will provide intellectual support for institutional development, promoting the distribution of the benefits of economic growth to impoverished populations.

— Support will be provided by experts, not only of the public sector but of a wide range of private sector entities, including universities and think tanks, and through the dispatch of policy advisors.