Abstract
After 1945, world population growth attracted attention in the United States of America (US) from the viewpoint of world security. Under the leadership of the US, international population policy focusing on family planning program was formulated. US policy was not determined without serious internal arguments. These points of controversy were carried into the international sphere. In the 1960s, frequent disasters afflicted developing countries and resulted in serious food shortages, which in turn prompted the US to attempt its international population policy. However, US policies were implemented through international agencies supported by the US, but not directly by the US government. After the War, the national budgets of developing countries depended on international assistance by up to 50% on average. In such an international environment, most countries accepted population programs based on US policies without question. By the 1970s many countries had become less independent on international aid. Hence, the US favored a new approach based on economic development, to confront population issues. Most developing countries started their own comprehensive programs in which economic development, health promotion and family planning were integrated. More recently, decentralized programs have been designed to efficiently carry the work. At the same time, the targets accepting services were well defined. Japan has made considerable contributions to the financing of population programs in developing countries through UNFPA and it has increased its budget significantly for bilateral programs. Most Japanese funded bilateral programs are consistent with the intent of international agencies programs. However, frequently during implementation competition occurs between Japanese bilateral programs and international programs.
