Paper short abstract:

A new Development Cooperation Charter has been adopted in Japan. Aid shall now ensure Japan's national interests, be more "strategic" and promote public-private cooperation. This paper researches aid implementation on the ground and the role it plays in the Japanese-Philippine relationship.

Paper long abstract:

2015 Japan adopted a new Development Cooperation Charter bearing in mind the National Security Strategy. In the Charter "development" is used in a broader sense and encompasses such activities as peacebuilding and governance, promotion of basic human rights and humanitarian assistance. It foresees a more "proactive" approach. Priority issues are 1. Economic growth of good quality 2. Sharing universal values and realizing a peaceful and secure society 3. Address global challenges to build a sustainable international society.

In Southeast Asia, Japan will support ASEAN connectivity and community building through physical and non-physical infrastructure building. Aid should be extended not only to the poor but also to countries that have already achieved a certain level of economic growth to keep them from being caught in the "middle income trap". The Philippines with a GNI of US$ 3 500 in 2015 and an economic growth forecasted to be 6.4 percent this year is today the third largest recipient of Japanese foreign aid.

According to the Charter implementation of aid should be more "strategic" and public-private cooperation should be promoted. This paper will research the role foreign aid plays in the Japanese-Philippine relationship and be a case study of how the charter is implemented on the ground.