Japan Administered Accounts
In 1990, Japan agreed to provide financial support for the IMF's technical assistance which contributes to the development of the productive resources of member countries by enhancing their capacity to formulate, implement and maintain an effective economic policy. Since then, Japan has been the largest contributor to the IMF's technical assistance activities.
Japan's contributions are provided through the "Japan Administered Account for Selected Fund Activities" (JSA) and through the "Subaccount for Japan Advanced Scholarship Program". Through these two accounts, Japan contributes to the financing of the technical assistance program, activities of the IMF's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Tokyo, and to the cost of two Scholarship Programs.
Since 1990, Japan has made annual contributions totaling some US$204 million, of which US$191 million has been for technical assistance projects and the activities of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and US$13 million for the Asia Scholarship Program. In addition, since 1996, Japan has also contributed some US$10 million for the Advanced Scholarship Program.
Technical assistance activities
So far, a total of 1,188 technical assistance projects have been approved with an additional 100 new projects added each year. To-date, 123 different member countries of the IMF and 13 regional organizations and training institutions have been beneficiaries of technical assistance funded by Japan. Countries in the Asia and Pacific region have benefited from one-third of total project approvals, while Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries and African countries have received almost a quarter each of total project commitments. About 40 percent of projects have focused on monetary and financial systems issues, while 28 and 16 percent have been addressing fiscal issues and macroeconomic statistics, respectively. Another 12 percent has been financing training activities undertaken by the IMF Institute.
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
The responsibilities of the Regional Office in Tokyo include collaborative efforts between the IMF and Japan that strengthen economic prospects in the Asia Pacific region and includes support of various regional policy fora. The office also undertakes technical assistance activities benefiting countries in the region, including conferences on macroeconomic policy and on financial sector reform. The Regional Office helps to improve understanding of the international financial system in Japan and the region through public relations events as well as by releasing publications in the Japanese language. It also seeks to increase the representation of Japanese and other Asian nationals on the staff of the IMF by encouraging qualified applicants to apply for employment, and supporting the recruitment efforts of IMF headquarters through conducting interviews and holding informational seminars.
Scholarships
In addition, the Government of Japan also provides contributions for two scholarship programs. In 1996, the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies, which is administered by the IMF Institute, was established. It supports nationals of Asian member countries of the IMF who undertake doctoral studies in economics in North America in order to pursue a career in international financial institutions, such as the IMF, or in their home administration. So far, a total number of 114 scholarships have been awarded under this program.
The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia, which was established in 1993, supports 12 and 24 month courses of graduate studies in Japan in macroeconomics or related fields for students from Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific, and is administered by the Regional Office in Tokyo. Under this program, 281 scholars have so far been awarded a scholarship.