of the Japanese Embassies and the field offices of aid agencies as well as through close collaboration with local people well versed in local situations. It is also important to create a system thereof.

Through the strengthening of the functions at the field level as mentioned above, Japan has been making an active contribution to strengthening cooperation with other donors. Such contribution is especially important against the backdrop that donors and other related organizations are in the position of preparing and implementing Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) in cooperation with one another under the ownership of recipient countries and are now in the process of preparing and revising them. This cooperative approach developed for PRSPs has promoted aid coordination at the field level in many parts of the world. In this connection, Japan has been actively participating in discussions with other donors in order to implement assistance programs more effectively. For example, in Vietnam, Japan took the leading role in donors' consultation on an enhanced version of economic growth strategy in the PRSP.

## ☑ Country-based ODA Task Forces

As mentioned earlier, in an effort to make effective use of Japan's limited human resources in recipient countries, Country-based ODA Task Forces have been formed in countries, which are deemed to be important recipients of Japan's ODA. So far, such Country-based ODA Task Forces have been formed in 64 countries $ ^{32} $ and have been engaging in the following activities.

## [1] Grasp and analysis of trends in the development of recipient countries

Country-based ODA Task Forces analyze development projects and macroeconomic situations of recipient countries, accumulate and analyze information on major sectors, study aid approaches, evaluate the results of past economic assistance, and engage in other activities. Many Country-based ODA Task Forces hold a general meeting one to four times a month and also separately hold other study-group-level meetings. In addition, Task Forces hold meetings to exchange opinions with Japanese people engaging in assistance activities who work for Japanese companies, NGOs, or other international organizations.

## [2] Policy consultation between Country-based ODA Task Forces and the recipient governments

Country-based ODA Task Forces consult with the recipient governments based on the information and analytical results accumulated through daily activities. Task Forces share Japan's aid policy with them and actively exchange opinions with them with the aim of forming specific projects.

## [3] Participation in the process of formulation and revision of Country Assistance Programs

Country-based Task Forces prepare the outlines or drafts of Country Assistance Programs so that assistance programs reflect the local situations. Some Task Forces also draft assistance policies for each priority sector.

## [4] Collaboration with the local aid community

Aid donor coordination has been improving especially in low-income countries. Country-based ODA Task Forces have actively been participating in the community of aid donors to collect information and explain Japan's assistance policy. Japan leads donor discussions and submits policy recommendations if necessary in sectors that are important in its aid policy (for further information on Country-based ODA Task Forces, see Part II, Chapter 2, Section 1 of this white paper and page 66 of the ODA White Paper 2003).

## (6) Collaboration with Relevant Parties in and out of Japan

Citizens' organizations such as NGOs can provide effective assistance carefully tailored for a specific community and a specific group of residents in a developing country and can also provide swift and flexible emergency humanitarian aid. It is important for citizens' organizations to collaborate with each other in such a way that enables them to make full use of their strengths. Furthermore, in implementing ODA, it is also important to appropriately use technology and know-how accumulated by Japanese private companies.

Japan has used its past experiences to develop advanced technologies for environmental protection and other fields. Japan also has the ability to create new technologies. If such technologies are used in Japan's assistance activities to meet the local people's needs for assistance, it would not only benefit local communities but also lead to more direct