Nongovernmental organizations were particularly vociferous. Whether coincidental or otherwise, Tokyo soon announced its new strategy. Moreover, support for HIPCs through various measures, including additional grants in place of loans, will continue. However, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan's lead foreign aid agency, nor other organizations involved in the nation's development assistance program, provided details or specific figures. With its latest debt-relief policy on the table, Tokyo even has asked other capitals to accelerate their efforts to move the HIPC Initiative forward.
Some observers suggest, however, that Japan actually is holding up the process.
In their view, a hard-line stance by Tokyo is discouraging nations from accepting the debt relief being offered. This charge is based on statements by Japanese aid administrators that countries that exercise the option of writing off 100 percent of their existing obligations will be ineligible for future loans. Insiders counter that no country has been pressured, emphasizing Tokyo's belief that each debtor nation must determine which course to pursue based on individual considerations. But, rhetoric aside, Japan's policy appears to be fairly clear. Japan's long-running economic problems have strained government resources and eroded public support for what has been for years the world's largest foreign aid program.