ABSTRACT
The state of the global environment once again came to the fore of international politics in the mid-1980. Japan, as the world’s second largest economy, came under intense international scrutiny for the environmental effects of its policies and actions. Western industrialized economies pressed Japan to share the responsibilities of developed countries. Developing countries called for more Japanese aid. Conservation groups demanded Japan to change its ways and stop environmental destruction. There is also ample evidence of adverse social and ecological distress resulting from Japanese Official Development Assistance-funded projects. One common criticism is that Japanese aid often supports infrastructure and resource development projects that are essentially more pertinent to Japanese economic interests than the needs and welfare of aid recipient countries or the future of the environment. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
