people and most seriously affect impoverished persons, whose livelihoods are particularly vulnerable. Abnormal climatic conditions in recent years have increased the incidence of natural disasters throughout the world. Japan has dispatched 46 Japan Disaster Relief Teams to 23 countries to provide emergency disaster aid and to cope with disaster-related humanitarian problems.

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

— Drawing on its own experiences in countermeasures against landslides, floods, earthquakes and tidal waves, Japan will continue to actively provide emergency assistance for disasters and support for post-disaster reconstruction through the dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief Teams and other means. Japan will also provide support for disaster prevention and land preservation.

### 7. Responding to Issues of Debt Relief

The economic development of the least developed countries of sub-Saharan Africa is seriously hampered by the problem of outstanding foreign debt, presenting a problem that cannot be ignored by the international community. Japan has provided active support for debt rescheduling and grant aid for debt relief. $ ^{23} $

In light of the decision taken at the Cologne Summit in June 1999 $ ^{24} $ , Japan will cooperate with other donor countries and international organizations to provide assistance for the resolution of the debt problem so that heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) and other low-income countries may achieve long-term economic self-reliance.

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

— While emphasizing the efforts of debtor countries to repay their debts, Japan will extend substantial debt relief through rescheduling and grants-in-aid to cover repayments based on the international framework.

— Efforts will be made to allocate funds freed through debt relief to development goals, such as the alleviation of poverty; the provision of education, health, medical, and other social investments; and the creation of employment opportunities.

— As a rule, financial cooperation after debt relief will take the form of grants, as the provision of new loans is unlikely after debt relief.

— Japan will actively undertake technical co-operation (human resources development and intellectual support) to enhance debt-management capacities and facilitate appropriate macroeconomic management.

— Henceforth, Japan will exercise greater caution in the provision of ODA loans and will pay greater attention to the developmental stage and debt-servicing capabilities of recipient countries, while taking into careful consideration the development plans of the developing countries and Japan’s own ODA policies.

### I II. Priority Issues and Sectors by Region

Japan has extended ODA to more than 150 countries and ranked as the top bilateral donor to 47 of these countries in 1996. $ ^{[25]} $ Through ODA, Japan has made a major contribution to the development of numerous countries. For reasons of geographic proximity and historical and present ties, Japan’s ODA assistance has traditionally been focused on the Asian region and will remain focused on those countries with whom Japan maintains close relations. At the same time, given the global expansion of economic interdependence and the need to take