people affiliated with JICA. As the institute obtained knowledge from external experts from universities and research institutes depending on the study content, it carried out project strategy research, providing analysis and advice for the establishment of project strategies in new fields relating to international cooperation and analysis of assistance trends and conceptualization of development theory. Furthermore, the institute was engaged in research on assistance methods, which systematized project experience and considered assistance management methods. In 2007, it conducted a study with other donor and recipient countries and international organizations, “Effective Technical Cooperation for Skill Development.” A report on this research was made at the 3rd High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, held in Accra, Ghana, in 2008, and other vital activities were carried out.

As part of assistance to ensure that the development policies and projects of developing countries are formulated and implemented effectively and efficiently and that more significant results are achieved, formerly JBIC Institute (JBICI), which had been in place in the former JBIC until October 2008, carried out surveys and research into various issues relating to the economies of developing countries, development policy, institutions, and projects by using the knowledge of researchers in Japan and abroad, giving rise to a number of results including offering policy advice through diverse publications, field-level seminars, and international conferences.

In the founding of New JICA in October 2008, separate clauses were stipulated in the law regarding survey and research projects, as a result of the recent ODA reforms, trends in the international community, and the growing necessity for survey and research work. In line with this, a development institute has been established in New JICA. This institute is to examine and make suggestions for improving aid effectiveness, while it is to carry out research that can send a strong message on Japan's efforts abroad and that can expand the value of Japan's development assistance. The target of study in the developmental research of New JICA extends to the wide-ranging developmental challenges and policies of developing countries, and it is not limited solely to concerned parties at home. While allowing consideration for transmission to the governments of developing countries and the international donor community, empirical and policy-oriented research that relies on a theoretical framework is to proceed. The present scope of research spans the four areas of (1) peace and development; (2) growth and poverty reduction; (3) global issues such as climate change; and (4) aid strategies.

See Box 4 on page 129 for details on the founding of New JICA.

At the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE) run by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), researchers take the initiative in collaborative studies on politics, economy, and society of developing countries, jointly carried out by experts at Japanese and overseas universities and research institutions. In FY2007, for instance, IDE promoted studies with emphasis on four areas of: China and India; regional integration of East Asia; poverty reduction; and development strategies.

## (3) Information Disclosure and Transmission

As a source for ODA is mainly derived from the taxes, it is necessary to gain wide understanding and support from the general public in order to sustain projects. For that reason, publicity and development training are being tackled in MOFA and the aid implementing agencies. These activities can expand the pool of human resources to work in international cooperation.

## (a) Public Relations and Information Disclosure

Concrete measures to provide information on international cooperation and opportunities to gain information about Japan’s cooperation projects include the issuance of government publications such as the ODA White Paper and the Diplomatic Blue Book, as well as the following:

## Websites, E-mail Magazines, and Newspapers

Designed to enhance disclosure of information relating to ODA, the websites of MOFA, JICA, and the Plaza for International Cooperation, $ ^{14} $ as well as other organizations relay timely information concerning international cooperation and provide introductions to international cooperation in easy-to-understand formats.

In addition to the websites, MOFA also issues the e-mail magazine. The magazine relays information relating to economic cooperation and includes episodes written by officials on overseas diplomatic missions, JOCVs, and Senior Volunteers about their actual experiences in the fields. Anyone can receive the magazine by registering on the ODA website, and as many as 14,800 people have now