A Consideration of NGO Accountability in Japan －Accountability on Vision and Strategy, and a Conceptual Classification of NGO Accountability－

Abstract

While civic organizations have recently been becoming more influential than ever in Japan, NGOs are expected to be accountable for the meaningfulness and effects of their development assistance projects in order to gain understanding from stakeholders. However, there have not been enough discussions on NGO accountability in Japan. Also, a question is raised in such discussions －Who are “NGOs”? This article considers NGO accountability from a holistic viewpoint by applying the case study of the evaluation of a project conducted by an NGO in Japan, based on the assumption that roles and functions of evaluation are important in NGO accountability. This article also considers conceptual classification of NGO accountability. It is concluded that, since the contents of accountability can be different depending on the relative relationship with target stakeholders, it can be useful to: 1) implement several different types of evaluations even in a single project; and 2) involve stakeholders in the evaluation process. Future prospects and issues to deal with: This article also points out: 1) the necessity of building partnerships between NGOs and different actors including the government (or administration), private enterprises and citizens; and 2) the importance of accountability for NGOs', visions and strategies.