The program aimed at building confidence between Tokyo and the region is one of 29 programs at the ministry to invite foreign influential figures or promising young leaders to Japan.[break] A total of 3 million yen has been earmarked for the project in the initial budget for this fiscal year.
The group including academics and certified public accountants also looked into invitation programs for Chinese and Australian politicians and called on the ministry to ´´drastically review´´ them so they can be merged into an existing ministry project that is applicable to invitees from all countries and international organizations.
It said those projects as well as similar invitation programs conducted by other ministries should be streamlined.
In a screening process that was open to the media and general public, ministry officials acknowledged that invitation programs should be efficient enough to serve Japan´s national interests, leading invitees to influence their nations´ voting behavior at the United Nations.
The ministry also screened public spending on maintaining Japanese diplomatic missions abroad as well as the nation´s grant-in-aid and technical assistance projects as part of a review of unnecessary programs conducted since May 26 at all the 12 ministries in Japan through Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said he personally thinks the ministry´s budget and personnel should be basically expanded to bolster the nation´s diplomatic power, but that the ministry should first do away with its nonessential spending.
The review group requested that the ministry make further efforts to trim spending for overseas diplomatic facilities by comparing cost-effectiveness of renting and acquiring properties.
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Koichi Takemasa said Japanese diplomatic missions abroad should serve as ´´strategic bases´´ for raising the country´s profile by consolidating functions of various government-related agencies.
Takemasa said diplomatic facilities should incorporate overseas offices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Japan External Trade Organization, the Japan National Tourism Organization and the Japan Foundation to offer one-stop service.
As for the implementation of Japan´s aid projects, it called for slashing fees for consultants and advisers.
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