Official development assistance is an important diplomatic tool for Japan, which relies heavily on other countries for resources, food and many other economic necessities.

ODA is used not only to help developing countries pursue sustainable socioeconomic development, but also to combat global issues such as poverty, pollution and infectious diseases and to promote peace.

Japan is a member of the 22-nation Development Assistance Committee in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of major donor nations that coordinate their efforts in supporting developing countries and discuss the effectiveness of their aid.