Japan and Foreign Aid

We have all heard how by some measurements, Japan is one of the largest foreign aid donors in the world. But just how true is that? Who and why do they give aid? Strangely, details about that are not so openly boasted about by the government. This article gives a bit better idea of exactly what is going on. Japan does least for developing countries
(Sorry but it is from the Japan Times, you have to register to get in. Free, just requires that you supply marketing info. If the only accurate info you provide is your e-mail address, it's fine.))