earthquake which occurred in Sichuan Province on 12 May, causing vast amounts of damage. On 13 May, following the earthquake, the Japanese Government decided to provide emergency relief amounting to ¥500 million, and granted emergency supplies corresponding to approximately ¥60 million. Moreover, an international emergency relief team of 61 and a medical team of 23 were dispatched to the region. As additional support, on 30 May, the Government of Japan announced further support of up to a total of ¥500 million. This was the first time that China had admitted foreign Search and Rescue Teams into the country. Yet, the teams were welcomed with high esteem and a great sense of gratitude. In July 2008, President Hu Jintao, who had come to Japan for participating in the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, expressed his country's thanks to the international emergency relief team of Japan. Also, at the top-level meeting that took place on the occasion of the above Summit, both leaders agreed that Japan would promote various forms of cooperation to transfer Japanese experience, knowledge, and technology for post disaster rehabilitation.

### 2. South Asia

Japan’s bilateral assistance to South Asia in 2007 was approximately US$261.66 million, 4.5% of total bilateral ODA.

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The South Asian region includes countries that have high rates of economic growth and gigantic economic potential, particularly India, the world's largest democracy. Accordingly, this region's position in the international community is becoming more prominent. South Asia is located on the marine transport route linking Asia with the Middle East, and thus is strategically important to Japan. It is also an important region from the viewpoint of dealing with global environmental issues. In addition, the region is of great concern to the international community, including Japan, due to the issue of weapons of mass destruction possessed by India and Pakistan and of its role as the front line in the “fight against terrorism.”

However, the South Asian region suffers from a serious lack of infrastructure essential to sustainable socio-economic development. For instance, India, with its continued high economic growth, needs basic infrastructure development, including roads, railroads, and ports. Moreover, South Asia, possessing a population of 1.4 billion, is one of the world's poorest regions with more than 500 million people living in poverty. The region includes such LDCs $ ^{75} $ as Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, and even in India, despite its rapid economic growth, about 30% of the population lives in poverty. Thus, poverty in the region is a serious issue.

The countries of South Asia are beset by social and political problems due to the diversity of religion and ethnicity. In addition to development of basic infrastructure and poverty reduction, the region faces problems that must be dealt with. These include growing populations, low enrolment ratio in primary education, inadequate healthcare facilities, insufficient measures against infectious diseases, and the unestablished rule of law. Thus, in order for MDGs to be achieved globally, South Asia, alongside Africa, is a crucial region. $ ^{76} $

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For harnessing the economic potential of South Asia and achieving well-balanced economic growth in order to ease the widening disparities between the rich and poor, Japan recognizes that assistance to South Asia for developing socio-economic infrastructure is important. Particularly in its relationship with India, Japan is promoting cooperation and disseminating its expertise in a wide range of fields, based on the Strategic and Global Partnership, an alliance sharing basic values. This includes security, economic partnership, and exchange of people. In addition, Japan will promote India's economic growth by strengthening Japan-India economic relations. As well, Japan will support infrastructure development to catch up with its rapid economic growth, as well as social development for poverty reduction. For five successive years since FY 2003, India has been the largest recipient country for Japanese ODA loan. Japan provides support to India for improvement of economic and social infrastructure such as electricity and transport for the trade and investment climate, as well as water and sewerage.

Furthermore, Japan intends to deepen cooperation with India and Bangladesh in the areas of the environment, climate change, and energy. Japan’s support can tackle issues that may lead to increased emissions of greenhouse gases.