The Role of the Legislature for Japan's ODA Policy Re-examined: With Special Reference to the Investigation Activity in the House of Councilors

Abstract

The ODA charter was enacted in 1992. This document provided a fundamental view of the Japanese ODA policy. The factors which led to this charter's enactment are various. However, the influence of the deliberations on ODA, especially in the House of Councilors, was large. The research committee of the House of Councilors is a committee for investigating. The results of the activities of this committee were summarized in a report, and, as a result, the resolution was passed. Moreover, considerable legislation was also proposed by the members of the House of Councilors about ODA in the meantime. The establishment of the ODA charter can be regarded as a response by the administration to these activities. Thus, it is thought that the activities of the Diet greatly influenced the establishment of the ODA charter. Such activities of the Diet will become a model case for policy making by the Diet. It also became easy for the Diet to control Japanese ODA policy by having made the charter.