To help inform discussion of how Japan’s ODA might best respond to challenges that Japan confronts within a rapidly changing development landscape, the UK Office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) commissioned the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) to undertake a three part research project entitled Informing the Future of Japan’s ODA.

This report summarizes the research from phase one of this research project, focusing on the history and evolution of Japan's model of development. The report explores how this model of development fits within an international development system that is increasingly crowded and every changing. The analysis suggests that Japan's development model is deeply rooted in the country's own history and transformation from an aid recipient to one of the leading economies of the world. Finally, the report highlights areas of value added particular to Japan's ODA.