in policy formulation and implementation.

(3) Japan will provide support for the development of the private-sector, industry, and agriculture for the achievement of economic self-reliance in Africa (e.g. transfer of the results and experiences of Asian development to Africa through South-South cooperation, basic infrastructure development for improved productivity in agriculture and other industries, and intraregional cooperation).

(4) Japan will provide support for democratization, conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction in order to provide the foundation for African stability.

(5) Japan will provide support for the reduction of debt burdens (taking into consideration the commitment of the debtor country toward structural reform when making decisions on assistance).

### 6. Latin America and the Caribbean

Since the beginning of the 1990s, Latin American countries have achieved significant progress as emerging market economies through the process of democratization and economic reform. Food- and energy-resource rich countries can look forward to the further development of countries in this region in the 21st century as strategic suppliers of food and energy resources.

The large number of Japanese migrants and their descendants have played an important role in promoting development in Latin America. In view of the fact that these migrants traditionally have acted as bridges between Japan and Latin America, it is important for Japan to support their efforts.

In view of the development of Pan-Pacific cooperation in recent years, the provision of assistance to the Pacific Basin region is growing in importance. Furthermore, due attention should be paid to the fact that effective support for promoting regional integration is needed in the Southern Cone common market (MERCOSUR), as well as in the Caribbean and Central American countries.

It must be borne in mind that economic development and democratization can be seriously hampered where basic social and economic infrastructures remain underdeveloped and extremes of wealth and poverty persist.

The Central American countries that sustained heavy hurricane damage during 1998 require support for the urgent task of restoration and reconstruction.

In light of the above, Japan will provide assistance and support while emphasizing the following points.

(1) Japan will provide active support for democratization and economic reform.

(2) Japan will provide support for environmental conservation to protect the natural environment and to cope with the increased environmental burden resulting from economic growth.

(3) Japan will provide support for the alleviation of poverty by assisting basic education programs, health and medical services, agriculture and rural development, and the development of a basic infrastructure for the reduction of regional disparities.

(4) In relatively low-income countries, Japan will provide support for the development of the social and economic infrastructure in order to revitalize the private sector and promote overseas investment.

(5) Japan will promote regional cooperation, including human resources development and technology transfer which targets two or more countries.