Japanese Foreign Aid Institutions Japan has three government institutions involved in disbursing foreign aid: the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Japanese Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC). This is now the nodal agency for all Japanese concessional loans, and replaced Japan Export-Import Bank (JEXIM) and the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) in 1999. JICA Since joining the Colombo Plan in 1954, Japan has been providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries through ODA, aiming to contribute more proactively to the peace, Stability and prosperity of the international community. JICA is in charge of administering all ODA such as technical cooperation, Finance and Investment Cooperation and Grants in an integrated manner, except for contributions to international organisations. JICA, the world's largest bilateral aid agency, works in over 150 countries and regions and has some 90 overseas offices. Founded in October in 2003 Japan International Cooperation Agency facilitates official development assistance for Japanese government. Among its main goals are economic growth assistance and international cooperation promotion. JICA continued its predecessor's purpose of providing ODA to developing counties. JICA's Initiatives Mission: JICA, in accordance with the Development Cooperation Charter, will work on human security and quality growth. Vision: Leading the world with trust JICA, with its partners, will take the lead in forging bonds of trust across the world, aspiring for a free, peaceful and prosperous world where people can hope for a better future and explore their diverse potentials. JICA's Cooperation with Asia Southeast Asia Support for Economic Growth：JICA has provided assistances from the project level to the policy level, such as the development of hard infrastructure and soft infrastructure and human resources development. JICA also provides assistance for establishing the institutions needed to promote public-private partnerships (PPP) projects, and strengthen partnerships with private-sector funds and corporate activities, including those of small to medium-sized enterprises to support regional development. Promotion of Inclusive Development: JICA is providing assistance for income generation, basic social services in the field of education and health, regional development and so on. Other activities include assistance for minority ethnic groups in Myanmar and strengthening the capacities of government institutions for the consolidation of peace in the Mindanao region of the Philippines. Initiatives for Emerging Issues and Regional Issues:JICA provides assistance for strengthening disaster risk management, maritime security, cyber-security, the environment and climate change. South Asia Promotion of Quality Growth: After Sub-Saharan Africa, the South Asia region has