|
Japan South Asia
In South Asia, Japan's role is mainly that of an aid
donor.
Japan's aid to seven South Asian countries totaled US$1.1
billion
in 1988 and 1989, dropping to just under US$900 million in
1990.
Except for Pakistan, which received heavy inputs of aid
from the
United States, all other South Asian countries receive
most of
their aid from Japan. Four South Asian nations--India,
Pakistan,
Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka--are in the top ten list of
Tokyo's aid
recipients worldwide.
Prime Minister Kaifu signaled a broadening of Japan's
interest
in South Asia with his swing through the region in April
1990. In
an address to the Indian parliament, Kaifu stressed the
role of
free markets and democracy in bringing about "a new
international
order," and he emphasized the need for a settlement of the
Kashmir
territorial dispute between India and Pakistan and for
economic
liberalization to attract foreign investment and promote
dynamic
growth. To India, which was very short of hard currency,
Kaifu
pledged a new concessional loan of ¥100 billion (about
US$650
million) for the coming year.
Data as of January 1994
|
