Official Development Assistance (Japan)

The Official Development Assistance (政府開発援助, Seifukaihatsuenjo) is an arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan). The goal of the office is to help developing nations with supplies, civil engineering and other assistance. The ODA was started in 1954 after Japan signed the Colombo Plan, which pledges to provide aid to nations who need it. As of 2003, the ODA provided over $221 billion USD to 185 nations and regions.

In February 2015, the decision was made to establish the Development Cooperation Charter as a means of taking a "proactive" approach to promoting peace and stability. Its approval allows Tokyo to grant monetary aid to foreign militaries for non-military operations. The DCC prioritizes Southeast Asia in granting aid.

The wording of the DCC is a bit ambiguous because it can be used to justify the financing of non-combat equipment like radar, aircraft and ISR equipment.

Japan's Official Development Assistance to China began in 1979 after the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China signed in 1978. From 1979 to 2013, Japan has provided 24 billion USD in loan aid and 7,796 million dollar in grant aid including 6,577 million USD in technical cooperation, a total of 32 billion USD. Even in 2013, Japan still provided 296 million USD loan and 30 million USD grant.

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