Japan Pledges to Raise ODA for Vietnam by 2.5-fold to $2.5B in 2016 Fiscal Year

The Japanese government has pledged to raise its official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam by JPY290 billion or $2.5 billion in the 2016 fiscal year, according to the White Book on ODA released on March 8. According to the White Book, Japan pledged to further provide the aid for Asian countries. It is the first time that Japan has added the protection of trade routes in the East Sea to its White Book. The maritime route through the East Sea is important for Japan and the Japanese government will increase its ODA for Asia, especially Southeast Asian countries in order to ensure the safety for its goods. On March 9, the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City signed a program to grant 530,000 in total to help Vietnam carry out some infrastructure, education and health projects in the southern region. By the end of 2015, the Japanese government had granted $12.59 billion for 158 projects in 26 southern cities and provinces, focusing on education health, agriculture and rural infrastructure development. The Japanese government has pledged JPY2.6 trillion or over $22 billion in official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam since the former restarted its ODA for the later in 1992, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. (VTV Mar 10, Quan Doi Nhan Dan – The People’s Army Mar 10 p8, Saigon Giai Phong – Liberated Saigon Mar 10 p2)