Japan's development assistance has become a security policy tool

Japan released its annual report on foreign aid on Tuesday, which shows the country is shifting further away from its traditional official development assistance policy.

The white paper says Japan will help developing countries fight terrorism, as part of its intensified counterterrorism efforts following a spate of deadly incidents last year. Seven Japanese nationals were among those killed in the terrorist attack on a restaurant in Bangladesh in July.

It also says that Japan will continue to help bolster Southeast Asian nations' surveillance capabilities amid China's "rising assertiveness" in the South and East China seas. To this end, it will offer them patrol vessels to maintain maritime security in vital sea lanes.