The Trinity: The Reemergence of the Japanese-style Development Concept as China Rises

Abstract

This paper examines the history behind using “the trinity” to explain Japan and China's development cooperation approach. In particular, this paper explores the meaning of the trinity in development practice in Japan and China and how it has changed over time. Though attracting little attention in Japan in the 1980s when it was first used as an economic cooperation-related concept, the trinity became a focus for debate with the rise of China as an emerging aid donor. In the process, the trinity became a concept for the simultaneous implementation of aid, investment, and trade measures to achieve a win-win relationship between the donors and recipients of development cooperation. By examining the processes that have formed and transformed this concept, this paper highlights that the meaning of the trinity as used in early development discussions is significant as it offers a perspective on loss and gain in development cooperation today.