Strategizing Triangular Cooperation: In the case of Japan International Cooperation Agency

Abstract

Triangular cooperation programs are considered as effective mechanism to enhance south-south cooperation and aid effectiveness. While providers, pivotal states and beneficiary states continue to pursue this emerging development cooperation practices, there are still many questions that needs to be answered, in order to recognize significance and values of triangular cooperation. To provide further explanation of this development cooperation practices, the theoretical background is laid out with focus on realism to explain the rationale behind triangular cooperation. Through the literature review, the rationale of triangular cooperation is examined according to the perspectives of the donor, pivotal state and the beneficiary state to explain actorsmotivations.

This paper focuses in uncovering motivations of how leading triangular cooperation donor country Japan, engages in triangular cooperation practices. The study examines Japans triangular cooperation practices under OECDs triangular cooperation typology to uncover in which context Japan is utilizing each types of triangular cooperation to achieve its development cooperation objectives. After the categorization of triangular cooperation cases are completed, the paper provides analysis on general patterns of JICAs development cooperation regarding each category. The paper also provides case analysis to illustrate cases that represent each triangular cooperation types to provide detailed explanation on Japans rationale behind conducting triangular cooperation. By strategizing Japans triangular cooperation practices, paper explains characteristics of JICAs triangular cooperation programs and provides implications for donor countries to consider when implementing triangular cooperation.