Perspective Chapter: Japan’s Government-Led and Private-Sector-Led Cooperation for Industrial Human Resource Development in Developing Countries – Changing Patterns of JICA’s and AOTS’s Projects

Abstract

Japan has supported industrial human resource development in developing countries for over 50 years through official development assistance (ODA) provided by its government via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Japanese private businesses, including the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), have also played a significant role in training skilled workers through public-private partnerships. This chapter compares the projects of JICA and AOTS, highlighting their different approaches. JICA has focused on diplomacy and international cooperation, aiming to enhance the overall technological and industrial capacities in developing countries. In contrast, AOTS has supported the private sector by addressing investment and trade promotion needs, facilitating the gradual overseas expansion of Japanese businesses by cultivating and supplying skilled workforces in specific specialized fields required for their operations in overseas markets.