JICA

JICA, or the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is a government agency of Japan that coordinates and implements official development assistance (ODA) for developing countries and regions. It operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and serves as the main organization through which Japan provides aid, expertise, and capacity-building to partner countries.

History and role: JICA was established in 2003 by merging the International Cooperation Agency (ICA), which handled grant aid and technical cooperation, with the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF), which financed development loans. The combined agency administers Japan’s ODA programs, aligning them with national development priorities and global frameworks.

Activities and programs: JICA carries out three main types of assistance—technical cooperation, grant aid, and loan aid. Technical cooperation includes training programs, dispatch of experts, and development studies aimed at building local capacity and institutional capability. Grant aid supports the delivery of essential infrastructure, equipment, and services. Loan aid finances larger projects, often in collaboration with other financial institutions, to stimulate development while ensuring repayment. JICA also runs programs such as the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), short-term training for government officials, and scholarship programs for students and professionals.

Operations and reach: JICA works in hundreds of partner countries and regions, coordinating with national governments, local authorities, international organizations, and civil society. Its projects span sectors such as health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, disaster risk reduction, and governance, with a focus on sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Organization and funding: JICA is funded through Japan’s ODA budget and operates from its headquarters in Tokyo with regional offices worldwide. It reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and collaborates closely with partner countries to achieve development outcomes.