of assistance. Efficient implementation should involve both the employment of experts with outstanding knowledge and skills in specific fields and undertakings, and the use of local experts with specialized knowledge of local conditions. Furthermore, it is necessary to maintain effective communications and collaborate with personnel on project sites, local executing agencies, and educational institutions.

In light of the above, due attention will be paid to the following points.

-Further efforts will be made to train human resources for development. Personnel exchanges with other donor countries and with international organizations will be promoted, including the dispatch of personnel to international organizations and joint participation in studies. Likewise, personnel exchanges among implementing agencies and educational institutions will be promoted.

-In order to respond more effectively to the growing diversity of demand for assistance and changes in forms and methods of assistance, efforts will be made to train and support individuals with high levels of expertise. University and graduate school internship programs will be utilized for this purpose and the mutual recognition of academic credits among development-related courses will be promoted.

-To ensure access to experts with specialized knowledge and skills, the public recruitment of experts will be stepped up and larger numbers of personnel will be recruited from local governments, NGOs, universities, and other institutions.

-Active use will be made of private-sector consultants and, where necessary, efforts will be made to strengthen their skills.

### 4. Promoting Public Understanding and Participation

To establish broader understanding and support for ODA, it will be necessary to promote public relations activities, the disclosure of information both domestically and abroad, and enlist the cooperation of the various strata of society and organizations in project implementation. From the perspective of increasing national involvement in and visibility of Japanese aid, it will be extremely important to expand Japan's personnel contribution to the international community by effectively utilizing Japan's own human resources.

In light of the above, due attention will be paid to the following points.

-Efforts will be made to enlist the cooperation and participation of private enterprises, local governments, NGOs, labor and management organizations, and other members of society in the implementation of ODA.

-Given the growing interest of the Japanese public in development assistance, the cooperation and participation of various age groups, extending from youth to senior citizens, will be enlisted in the implementation of ODA.

-In addition to providing support for NGO activities, ODA projects and related tasks will be more extensively consigned to NGOs, universities, think tanks and other organizations. Similarly, efforts will be made to further promote the participation of local governments in development projects.

-Efforts will be made to increase public relations for Japan's ODA activities, both domestically and abroad.

### 5. Promoting Information Disclosure

Japan's disclosure of ODA information has received high marks in the international community as evidenced by the "Peer Review Report on Japan's ODA" (1995) compiled by the OECD's DAC. However, further progress must be made in disclosing information to the public in order to gain support and understanding.

In light of the above, due attention will be paid to the following points.

-From the perspective of providing access to integrated information, efforts will be made to improve the content of annual reports on Japan's ODA.

-Further efforts will be made to disclose information pertaining to project tender processes and individual projects.

-Transparency of assistance will be improved through the preparation and publication of a long list of ODA loan candidate projects.

-In addition to expanding the scope of information disclosure, efforts will be made to render the information more understandable and easier to use. For this purpose, the available ODA information over the Internet will be expanded.

-Information will be supplied to the national media as well as to the local media and local communities.

-In view of the fact that the public does not have direct access to overseas ODA sites, efforts will be made to create opportunities enabling the Japanese public to come into contact with ODA projects.