World Bank President James Wolfensohn on Monday exhorted Japan not to substantially reduce its official development assistance to developing countries.
"It would be my hope that Japan will continue to be a leader in the field" of foreign aid, he told a press conference. "It would be my hope that you will continue, whoever is making the decision, to give it priority."
Wolfensohn said that while he realizes Japan's fiscal situation is deteriorating, a significant cut in ODA "would have an enormous impact" on developing nations.
A study group set up by the three ruling parties agreed last week to reduce the amount of ODA to developing countries in the budget for fiscal 2001, which begins April 1.
But the group made it clear it is against a substantial reduction.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.