Conclusion

Japanese official development assistance (ODA) seems to suffer from a lack of policy coherence, an unwieldy and overly complex system of policymaking and implementation, and a limited ability to tailor aid to the specific needs of diverse recipients. Taken as a whole, the following impression broken down by aid type and organizational characteristics may be gained. Control and coordination of this aid system is fragmented because the complicated Japanese implementation system lacks a central headquarters. Japan’s ODA field staff lack visibility in target countries. Due to the complexity of Japan’s aid procedures and the centralization of decision making in Tokyo, much field staff time is consumed in managing communications and paperwork with Tokyo. The Japanese government continues to view ODA as an area where major domestic stakeholders have at least a partial claim over resources.