Japan aims to refocus its foreign aid on maritime and economic security and national interests

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Japan has approved a significant revision to its development aid policy with a renewed focus on maritime and economic security, as well as national interests. This decision comes in response to the challenges posed by China’s increasing global influence and other global issues like the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The revision to the Development Cooperation Charter, which was approved by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Cabinet, deviates from the usual 10-year cycle and emphasizes the sense of urgency in addressing these concerns.

In December, Japan adopted a new National Security Strategy that aims to double defense spending over the next five years. With fiscal conditions already tight, Japan recognizes the need to utilize development aid more effectively and strategically. The country’s Foreign Ministry has initiated official security assistance, known as OSA, primarily for the militaries of developing nations in the Indo-Pacific region. This assistance includes the provision of Japanese-made non-lethal equipment and infrastructure improvements.

The revised charter places a priority on combating climate change, addressing food and energy crises triggered by the conflict in Ukraine, strengthening maritime security, enhancing supply chain resiliency, and promoting digital transformation. It acknowledges the compound crises faced by the international community, such as climate change, infectious diseases, threats to the free and open international order, and the risks of fragmentation, all of which impact developing nations.

Development aid is now seen as a crucial diplomatic tool, particularly in building equal partnerships with Global South countries to gain consensus on important issues like Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, China’s assertiveness, debt and development challenges, and climate change. Japan aims to work with recipient nations as equal partners to create shared social values and promote a rules-based, free, and open international order, aligning itself with the United States and other democracies as a counter to China.

To achieve these goals, Japan may provide development funding for infrastructure projects, such as fisheries or tourism, in remote islands of the South China Sea or the South Pacific. The revised charter highlights the importance of collaboration with the private sector and civil society, as well as the need for new funding sources, while being mindful of not putting other nations in difficult positions as they develop their ties with Japan.

Japan also seeks to take the lead in establishing international rules and guidelines based on inclusiveness, transparency, and fairness as a donor nation. This approach aims to counter China’s aid practices, which have led to recipient countries falling into debt and granting China access to local ports and infrastructure.

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More about foreign aid policy revision

• Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Development Cooperation Charter
• Japan Ministry of Defense – National Security Strategy
• AP News – Japan’s New Aid Policy Focuses on Maritime Security
• Kyodo News – Japan to Double Defense Spending
• The Diplomat – Japan’s Foreign Aid Strategy for Indo-Pacific Security