CUT BACKS IN JAPANESE AID

In: Review of African political economy, Band 75, Heft 25, S. 132-133

Abstract

JAPAH'S FOREIGN AID BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998 INDICATES A REDUCTION OF 10 PER CENT. GOVERNMENT SOURCES EXPLAIN THIS CUT IN TERMS OF THE NEED TO RESTRUCTURE JAPAN'S HIGH DEFICIT BUDGET AND REDUCE ITS SIZEABLE PUBLIC DEBT. IN ADDITION, THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IS REACTING TO INCREASING CONCERN THAT IS BEING EXPRESSED REGARDING ITS HIGH LEVELS OF OVERSEAS AID SPENDING. THE MOST DRASTIC CUTS AFFECT JAPANESE INPUTS INTO UN ORGANIZATIONS, AND AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS WHICH HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN JAPANESE LENDING OVER RECENT YEARS WILL FIND THEMSELVES HAVING TO NEGOTIATE HARDER FOR JAPANESE ASSISTANCE IN THE COMING YEARS.