Japan International Cooperation Agency
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The Japan International Cooperation Agency (独立行政法人国際協力機構 dokuritsu gyōseihōjin kokusai kyōryoku kikō) is an independent governmental agency that coordinates official development assistance (ODA) for the government of Japan. It is commonly known by the acronym "JICA".
It is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and the promotion of international cooperation.
The current organization was formed on October 1, 2003 as outlined in the International Cooperation (Independent Governmental) Agency Act of 2002. Its predecessor, the (Japan) International Cooperation Agency (also known as "JICA"), was a semigovernmental organization under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, formed in 1974.
As of 2005 it is led by President Sadako Ogata, the former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Activities
Mission
JICA is part of Japan's official development assistance effort, with a role in providing technical cooperation and capital grants. The Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and Japan Disaster Relief Team groups of JICA are widely known. Japan Disaster Relief Team members are sometimes seen in news reports of relief efforts after major natural disasters around the world, such as the 2005 South Asian earthquake.Activities are diverse, in general working towards the goal of "international cooperation through people". In other words JICA itself does not implement international cooperation, but rather largely serves as a coordinator of efforts. JICA is a bridge between Japan and developing countries.
Key projects
Specialists
Requests are received from developing countries and international organizations, and specialists are dispatched to the field. Specialists include those recommended from related government agencies as well as those applying through the specialist registration system. Assignments range from extended stays of over a year to shorter stays of less than one year.Volunteer dispatch
- Japan (Youth) Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)
- Senior Overseas Volunteers
- Nikkei Society Youth Volunteers
- Nikkei Society Senior Volunteers
Technical training program
JICA provides technical training for trainees from developing countries in a wide range of fields, including medical, industrial, and agricultural training.- Training within Japan
- * Group training
- ** Field-specific course (Course aimed at deepening understanding of world-wide issues in various fields. Courses are generally between four and 15 people, 10 on average. Course length varies from three weeks to one year.)
- ** Country/Region-specific course (Course aimed at deepening understanding of issues specific to a country or region)
- * Individual training (Generally technical training specific to a project)
Japan Overseas Migration Museum
JICA operates the Japan Overseas Migration Museum in the Minato Mirai 21 development in Yokohama. Its primary goal is to increase awareness of the experiences of Japanese immigrants overseas, with the ultimate goals of improving relations with foreign residents of Japanese ancestry in Japan and improving ties with foreign countries through overseas residents of Japanese ancestry.Timeline
- 1954 Apr - Japan joins Colombo Plan and initiates technical cooperation programs
- 1962 Jun - Overseas Technology Cooperation Agency (OTCA) established
- 1963 Jul - Japan Emigration Service (JEMIS) established
- 1965 Apr - Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) program launched
- 1974 Aug - OTCA and JEMIS merge to form the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
- 1987 Sep - Disaster Relief Team formed
- 1989 - Total official development assistance (ODA) contributions exceed that of the United States to become the highest in the world
- 1990 Apr - Senior Cooperation Specialist (Senior Overseas Volunteer) dispatch program begun
- 2003 Oct - JICA established as an independent governmental agency
See also
External links
- [JICA official website]
- [Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs ODA webpage]
- [JICA Japan Overseas Migration Museum website (Japanese)]
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