## (4) Strengthening Functions at the Field Level

In order to strengthen policy consultation with the governments of developing countries, Country-based ODA Task Forces, whose main members are Embassy of Japan and JICA offices in each country, have been established, as a rule, in all recipient countries of Japan's ODA. $ ^{30} $ The Task Forces also participate in determining country assistance policy and rolling plans of aid projects as they are expected to better understand the assistance needs of the developing country. The Task Forces also engage in discussions regarding policies with the governments of developing countries. In addition, the Task Forces work together with other donor countries and international organizations to offer suggestions related to combination of different ODA schemes as well as review of these schemes. They also consider and select candidate projects for Japan's ODA.

Further, with full-scale aid coordination $ ^{*} $ being conducted at the field level when, for example, Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) (see “Terminology” on page 110) is prepared or revised in a country, Japan began in FY2006 to assign coordinators for economic cooperation at some of its overseas diplomatic missions. Their role is to collect information and implement researches related to aid coordination, to disseminate information on Japan’s aid policies to other countries, and to make recommendations to the Japanese government from the field.

## $ ^{*} $ Aid coordination

Aid coordination refers to the sharing of information by multiple donors and cooperation to formulate aid strategy and to plan and implement projects, etc., to increase the impact of assistance. In the past, aid coordination focused on collaboration and coordination between donors on individual projects, but in recent years, comprehensive aid coordination in which donors provide assistance under shared strategy and procedures in accordance with the development policies of the recipient countries has been implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa and other nations around the world.

## (5) Partnership with Domestic and Overseas Aid-related Entities

Japan engages in international cooperation in partnership with private sector, NGO, universities, local municipalities, international organizations, and other donor countries.

## • Partnership with NGOs

In recent years, NGOs have fulfilled an important role in the international community by recommending policies on major diplomatic issues such as development, environment, human rights, trade, and disarmament. Japanese NGOs implement high-quality aid activities in developing countries, including education, health and medical care, community development, refugee assistance, and mine clearance. In addition, Japanese NGOs provide prompt humanitarian assistance in areas affected by conflict or natural disasters like earthquakes. NGOs are in tune to the needs of people at a grass-roots level in dire

Utilizing Grant Aid for Japanese NGO's Projects to build a well and restrooms at a school. Delighted children in Zimbabwe. (Photo: NPO ADRA Japan)

situations where governmental assistance has difficulty to reach. NGOs are deeply familiar with the region and are able to provide suitable response to the needs of people, as well as to enhance “Visibility of Japanese Aid.” Japan has advocated the promotion of partnerships with NGOs in the ODA Charter and other policies. Japan engages in a variety of collaborative measures related to NGO aid activities, including financial assistance, capacity building program, and opportunities for dialogue between NGOs and MOfA.