<< magazine top >>








Thinking of Japan's ODA


I was on the taxi going to Jordan's old city "Salt". A guy next to me asked "Are you Japanese? Konnichiwa.Nice to meet you. You know? Salt where we are heading for is a beautiful historic city. I used to work for JICA, Japan International Cooperation Agency, in Salt"
Later as walking around the city of world heritage, I saw a lot of signboards which the name of JICA was on were set in the city. So as long as you follow the signs, you could tour the historical sites quite effectively with detailed descriptions. Most of the historical architectures were also beautifully renovated. I could look over yellowish Ottoman style houses which stuck on the hillside from another hill top. "That's beautiful, huh?" I talked to a boy riding a bike beside me. He nodded with full of pride. I felt like proud of that too because I knew Japanese ODA, Official Development Assistance, took an important role for conserving the beautiful ancient city.


Not only for Jordan, I saw many water towers which were written "Japan" even in small town in Africa for instance. I remember residents in the small villages thanked to Japanese doctor in a public hospital.
So I'm sorry to hear Japanese people say cut off the Japanese ODA budget in the severe recession. They must regard it as a wasting our tax. It's hard to make sense how it's important assist a developing country, especially for the people who have never seen the actual site. It's a same as saying "We don't need museum 'cos I'm not interested in art" or "I don't read a book so much. So we don't need library"


Meanwhile, I heard that a number of applicant for Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer is sharply dropped in recent years. Well, it's easy to understand. In this economic situation, it might be very hard find a job after you come back to Japan. Usually the missions are on temporary contract base. Government must say "You can get a wonderful experience which will be advantage rest of your career" However I want ask how many Japanese companies evaluate the experience and hire them. Under the economical depression, Japanese government made a statement for the employer to hire the workers on permanent status. Nevertheless the Japanese ODA workers are hired as temporary task forces with two year contract.
The workers who have worked for a certain country with passion, deeply committed to the people, are fired with accomplishing the period. Besides an elite who doesn't have any relationship to the country newly takes a role in the local Japanese embassy. Add to that their status is stable and permanent. It's illogical or what?


Oh. I should not have put such a barren story on this beautiful portrait of Salt. Little regret.

Jan. 2012



Today's piece
" Backyard 1 " Salt, Jordan 2010




fumikatz osada photographie