Selection of Preferable Country

The government of Japan paved a way to contribute to other country’s military operation, which it has been strictly regulating for years. Distinguishing preferable countries in the world from others, Japan’s official development assistance will take further strategic measures in addressing its national interest. Under a controversial principle of preemptive pacifism, Shinzo Abe administration took a step forward to undermine the Constitution of Japan.

It will be a review of the charter of official development assistance by the end of this year. The review should be the first attempt since last revision in 2003. Although current charter prohibits assistance to other country’s military, new version will allow it with condition of helping unmilitary operations such as social maintenance or disaster relief. New charter will determine that Japan’s assistance will avoid being used for military purpose or encouraging international conflict. But it is unclear how Japanese government will assess the situation of foreign country’s military.

Japanese government will change the name of the charter from “Official Development Assistance Charter” to “Development Cooperation Charter.” This kind of change is frequently used by bureaucrats, which firmly believe in that changing trivial part of national policy can lead to fundamental change without public attention. By removing “assistance,” the government aims to change the substantial concept of it from assistance on developing countries to cooperating all countries. Even if a country had been developed enough beyond the standard of Japan’s assistance, Japan will be able to keep on helping it, as long as it is preferable partner of Japan.

Japan’s strategy for developing country has been considered in terms of dealing with China’s bold involvement in many projects of nations in Africa, Asia and South America. Regarding official development assistance as a critical tool for Japan’s diplomatic strategy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been frustrated with restrictions built in the charter. The revision of it reflects strategic mind of the ministry.

However, the revision may cause fundamental change of the concept of foreign aid. Positive assistance will accordingly be done to a country cooperative to Japan. A country not selected will have negative mind against Japan. Although the assistance has been provided in a view of interest of world society, not Japan’s national interest, it will be realized as a tool of traditional developed power, making more enemies in the world than ever.