In the last few years, the growth of development studies in Japan has been noticeable. Although the context is challenging, there have been a number of interesting developments in recent years.

Key issues include:

• The new Offical Development Assistance (ODA) Charter does explicitly mention Japan's intellectual contribution - "the government will encourage regional studies relating to developing countries and research on development policy, to promote accumulation of Japan's intellectual assets in the development sphere." (www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/reform/revision0307.html)
  
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and also Institute of Developing Economies (IDE), as part of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), have recently become independent and will need to become more corporate-driven given the troubled situation regarding public finances.
  
• Within Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) a cadre of younger staff with a strong 'development spirit' are emerging. The choice of Sadako Ogata as the first non-MOFA President of JICA is likely to give emphasis on development issues over foreign policy.
  
• University reform will occur next year meaning that universities will be less constrained and will have more freedom to make contracts and work with researchers from overseas.
  
• The Ministry of Education (MEXT) has set up the Support and Coordination Project for University Cooperation in International Development (SCP) with the aim of linking Japanese universities to development agencies (within Japan and to multilateral institutions).
  
• There is a more competitive environment for universities and think-tanks due to funding challenges. These pressures are encouraging them to become more flexible and forward-thinking.
  
• It has been commented that there are no real professional standards for publishing in development studies in Japan.
• There has been a narrowing of the gap between the research and policy communities with regard to development issues.

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