Japanese aid to Africa: Patterns, motivation and the role of structural adjustment

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Abstract
In 1989 Japan surpassed United States as the world's largest contributor of overseas development assistance (ODA). While there has been considerable material on Japanese aid to Asia, comparatively little has been written on Japanese assistance to Africa. The article attempts to expand the literature by generating and analysing a data set on ODA to each African country from 1959 to 1994. The data indicate an overwhelming influence of structural adjustment lending on ODA. The article shows that structural adjustment programmes are inconsistent with the pattern of Japanese economic development. Based on interviews in Japan's agencies, the article analyses the reasons for Japan's strong support for adjustment in Africa and the more recent disenchantment with these policy packages. The author argues that the most important dimension in the shifting pattern of assistance to Africa is bilateral relations with the United States.

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