IMF-Japan Cooperation in Capacity Building Reaches 20-Year Mark

20-year anniversary for program to help improve policymaking capacity in Asia

IMF staff participate in seminars and outreach as part of training

Over 600 program graduates with many alumni in high level positions

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA)—a capacity building initiative financed by the Japanese government and administered by the IMF’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP)—was originally launched in 1993 to help formally planned economies transition to a market environment.

Since then, the program has graduated hundreds of alumni, many of whom have gone on to senior positions in their home country.

Eligibility for the program was expanded in 2009 and now junior officials from 24 countries in Asia as well as some Pacific Island countries can apply.

Graduate studies in Japan

The JISPA targets junior officials in ministries of finance, central banks, and other key economic agencies. Candidates must demonstrate the potential to contribute to policy making in their countries, and commit to serving in their home institution after their study in Japan.

About 35 scholarships are awarded annually for Masters studies at one of the four partnership universities—Hitotsubashi University, the International University of Japan (IUJ), the National Institute for Graduate Policy Studies (GRIPS), and the University of Tokyo—with a small number of Ph.D. applicants at any Japanese university.

“We are very proud that about 600 officials from 23 countries have been trained through the JISPA program over the last 20 years, some of whom are now in very senior positions,” said OAP’s Director Odd Per Brekk, at a reception held in Tokyo in October to welcome the batch of incoming JISPA scholars.

IMF involvement enhances JISPA

IMF involvement contributes to enhance the practical policymaking aspects of JISPA studies. “We routinely organize special policy seminars for JISPA scholars, delivered by the OAP or other IMF staff who transit through Tokyo en route to missions in Asia. Recent topics include labor market reform, financial sector issues, health spending reform, and capital flow management,” said OAP senior economist Giovanni Ganelli, who oversees JISPA operations.

“We also invite JISPA scholars to other capacity building and outreach events organized by OAP in Tokyo, and we liaise with the universities to make sure that their curricula reflect current policy issues,” he added.

The OAP also helps scholars with the practical...