Japan- Liberia Relations: An Examination of JICA’s Interventions in Liberia’s Post-war Development 2006-2016

This paper examined the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) interventions in Liberia’s post-war development and asked the question: what implications have they had on national reconstruction for Liberia in the period 2006 to 2016? The scanty body of literature on Japan-Liberia relations, despite over six (6) decades of diplomatic engagement, poses a particularly important challenge to research which this study sought to overcome through in-depth review of diplomatic correspondences between the two countries, archival review, and interviews of statesmen and diplomats from both countries. The research findings helped to fill an important gap in the literature on Liberia’s diplomatic history, Liberia-Japan diplomatic relations, and political science more generally. It was qualitative research guided by central research question of “How has Japan’s aid to Liberia impacted Liberia’s post-war reconstruction?” The study interviewed 12 individuals knowledgeable of the subject, comprising past and present public and civil servants at Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Views of officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) were taken in key Informant Interview (KII). The study found out that the establishment of the Liberia-Japan Policy Dialogue was a major event that helped define the nature of both countries’ relations as it eventually led to socio-economic benefits for them, especially for Liberia. Consequently, it was strongly recommended that considering Japan and China geopolitical rivalry and Liberia enjoying diplomatic relations with both countries, Liberia, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs should manage its relations its relations with both countries through adept diplomacy and tactfulness.