As it competes with China for influence, Japan will think about expanding its foreign aid program for developing nations to include projects like coastal radar systems and military-use facilities.
Tokyo intends to expand its diplomatic options in light of the increasingly difficult security environment by creating a new category for security assistance. The change occurs as part of a larger shift in Japan’s policy, which includes a significant increase in defense spending and a loosening of strict restrictions on the export of arms.
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Radars, dual-use ports would be covered under the expanded program
The new category of development aid will go to the militaries of nations that Tokyo considers friendly and with whom cooperation is viewed as important for Japan’s security. Military-civilian airports and seaports, as well as the construction and upkeep of military hospitals, are potential projects.
For this purpose, Japan’s draft budget for fiscal 2023 includes 2 billion yen, or $15 million. The first project will be created the following year, and funding is expected to rise over the next few years.
One of the largest programs in the world, the country’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program has long focused only on civilian infrastructure and not on projects involving the military.
As a result, China has been able to expand its influence by providing assistance to nations in Southeast Asia and elsewhere that require updated military facilities through its Belt and Road Initiative.
Additionally, Japan intends to provide law-abiding peacekeeping and security equipment. This would include armored vehicles for anti-terrorism operations as well as radars and data analysis systems to assist nations in monitoring their airspace and waters.
Additionally, sales of equipment for humanitarian endeavors like disaster relief and UN peacekeeping operations will be permitted.
The recipients will be required to take measures to prevent the use of this equipment in conflicts outside of its intended use. Japan would need to approve any transfers to third countries.
Using diplomacy to “prevent crises” and “create a stable international environment” is emphasized in Japan’s recently revised National Security Strategy, which is in line with the new policy.
Additionally, the government intends to increase nonmilitary development assistance. In the first half of 2023, the Foreign Ministry will update its ODA guidelines to say that aid should reach the international goal of 0.7 percent of gross national income.
In the 1990s, Japan was the world’s leading provider of such development assistance. In 2021, it came in third, behind the United States and Germany.
Japan intends to ease restrictions on the export of arms following local elections in April, in addition to the expanded development aid. Combining the two could make it possible to offer emerging economies defense assistance in a variety of ways.