Human security and Japan International Cooperation Agency and non-governmental organizations collaboration (a case study of great East Japan earthquake/Tsunami)

摘要

Human security norm has emerged as a key focus for Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) Charter in 2003. Since then, Japan has been playing a more active role in promoting human security as a leading country. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is an organization under Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), plays important roles in the implementation of Japanese ODA in order to improve the lives of the local people in developing countries. JICA has been strengthening its collaboration with various parties; such as non-govemmental organizations (NGOs), universities, local governments, and so on to cope with complicated non-traditional security threats. Moreover, a number of Japanese non-governmental organizations activities are undertaken by JICA in order to protect the lives, livelihood and dignity of human beings, which is based on the perspective of human security. In response to Japanese ODA policy on human security, JICA's practice of human security is based on these four kinds of cooperation as follows; 1) cooperation that comprehensively targets freedom from fear (conflicts and disasters) and want (poverty); 2) cooperation that involves through consideration for the social vulnerability; 3) cooperation that establishes mechanisms to protect and empower people; and 4) cooperation that addresses global risks. Based on the implementation, JICA seek closer cooperation not merely from the governmental agencies, but also from international organizations and NGOs. In order to empower communities and individuals, JICA expands its cooperation at local level. This reflects the way of JICA's operation which is based on the bottom-up approach.