Embassy of Japan in Myanmar

Japan's Assisatance to the project "Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Care Services"

The Government of Japan has decided to provide its Grant Aid of US$ 2.65 million for “Improvement of Maternal and Health Care Services (Phase Ⅶ ) in Myanmar”. The Exchange of Notes to this effect was signed between Mr. Odano, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar and Mr. Shrestha, UNICEF Representative in Myanmar , at Yangon on 22 November 2006 . At the ceremony of this signing, Director General Dr. Tin Win Maung, Ministry of Health, expressed his deep appreciation for this aid to contribute to especially protect children in Myanmar from many life-threatening diseases.

The Government of Japan will provide its Grant Aid in this project for the purchase of rapid test kits and medicines for malaria, vaccines for measles, essential medicaments and equipment for reproductive health, test kits for the HIV/AIDS and others. They will be distributed to township hospitals and rural health facilities in Myanmar through UNICEF, in collaboration with the Government of the Union of Myanmar.

This project has been developed through consultations among the Ministry of Health in Myanmar , the Government of Japan and UNICEF, aiming mainly at improving the health care for mothers and children in Myanmar , especially in rural areas. In this context, the Government of Japan has already provided a series of assistance for six consecutive phases for the same projects in total with US$ 29.3 million from 1992 to 2005.

This project is expected to contribute to further improvement the situation of maternal and child health in Myanmar through supporting the work of UNICEF, and to strengthen the friendship between Japan and Myanmar . (November, 2006)

The Deligation of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program visited Myanmar

On November 1 the delegation of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program paid a visit to the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar and had a friendly gathering with the Embassy staff. The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program is organized by the Government of Japan (Cabinet Office) and since it started in 1974, it has fostered the mutual understanding of the youths with the various cultural background.
This year 357 participants of the 10 ASEAN countries and Japan enjoy a ship journey from Singapore to Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines and to Japan. On board and at each destination they study various aspects of these countries, such as education, social welfare, industrial development through attending lectures, visiting some relevant institutions, participating in various exchange programs with local people, including "Home-Stay". As part of the program, the delegation which was headed by Mr.Tashiro, Administrator of the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan, 11 participating youths to be represented from the participants of this Program and the National Leader of Myamar visited Myanmar from November 1 to 2 from Singapore. During their brief stay in Myanmar, apart from the above-mentioned visit to the Embassy of Japan, they carried out various activities such as the visit to the National Museum, participation in tree planting ceremomy at Kandawgyi Garden, a coutersy call on H.E. U Htay Oo, Secretary-General of USDA and attendance at the dinner hosted by him.
At the gathering at the Embassy, Mr.Nobutake Odano, Ambassador of Japan welcomed them and afterwards they personally exchanged views on such issues as their impresion of their participation in this Program and future cooperation among the young generation of the ASEAN countries with some members of the Embassy. On this occassion the youths voiced their thanks for the hospitality of the countries they visit and commented that the program is extremely useful in promoting the exchange between the youths form different countries, since the participants spend more than forty days together.
On the ship, the participants of each country introduce the culture of their own country. One of the participants from Japan said, "In Japan I never considered what the Japanese culture is. Participation in the program has really made me ponder about the essence of the Japanese culture for the first time." This remark can be regarded as a proof that this program encourages each participant to reflect on the culture of his or her own country.
Furthermore, one of the ex-participants of the program said that there is a strong alumni meeting and that many participants cherish long-standing frinedship established during the program..

On 30 th & 31 st October 2006 , the Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with the Myanmar Judo Federation held the 4 th Japan Cup Judo Championship 2006 in Yangon at the Aung San Indoor Stadium. There were participants from 10 teams including the teams from various government ministries like the Ministry of Industry I, Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Sports and private Judo clubs teams from Sagaing Division and Shan State . Altogether 79 male and 45 female, a total of 124 contestants, participated in the Championship, an increase of about 40 participants compared to the last year.

The contestants participated with much vigor and strength with the hope of winning the Japan Judo Championship Cup and this year, the Ministry of Rail Transportation's team won the Cup.

On 31 st October, H. E. Mr. Nobutake Odano, the Ambassador of Japan and H. E. Brigadier General Thura Aye Myint, the Minister for Sports, awarded the 4 th Japan Judo Championship Cup, the Best Player awards, trophies and other prizes.

The Japan Cup Judo Championship has been held annually since the 2003 Japan-ASEAN Exchange Year, with the aim of promoting the Japan-Myanmar sports exchange through further development of Judo in Myanmar .

A responsible official of the Myanmar Judo Federation made a positive comment by saying that “Japan Cup” Judo Championship plays an important role in Japan-Myanmar sports exchange and is also an event which gives the precious opportunity for Myanmar Judo players to recall in their hearts and mind again, the fact that “Judo” is a traditional Japanese sports. By this comment it is clear that the “Japan Cup Judo Championship” is an event which has a special meaning to Myanmar players.

In this context, the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar will continue to make best efforts to promote the mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Myanmar by supporting Japanese traditional sports such as “Judo” to be much more widely played in the whole of Myanmar .

On Saturday, 14 October 2006 , the Embassy of Japan, in collaboration with the Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA), held the Japanese Speech Contest 2006 in Yangon , at the Nikko Hotel Royal Lake .

Altogether around 300 guests were present on the occasion, including Japanese expatriates residing in Myanmar and Myanmar nationals learning Japanese.

This year's Speech Contest was the 7 th to be held in Yangon . Formerly the Japanese Speech Contests were held not only in Yangon but also in Mandalay . The contest has been held five times in Mandalay .

The Japanese Speech Contest is one of the annual events hosted by the Embassy to promote the learning of Japanese language. It is also an opportune occasion for students learning Japanese to contemplate and examine their Japanese language speaking proficiency.

This year's Japanese Speech Contest was held only in Yangon . There were a total of 60 applicants from Yangon , Mandalay and other different areas of Myanmar , out of which the final 19 contestants, 8 males and 11 females were selected to participate after the preliminary selection. As the contestants were given a chance to choose the theme of their speech freely, various topics were selected ranging from on family values, Japanese language, superstitions, Ueno zoo to environmental issues. Each contestant gave his or her speech with gestures and did their best to answer difficult questions posed by the judges. How they answered questions spontaneously was also judged this time.

In Myanmar , the students learning Japanese have been increasing year by year and now there are over 6000 students studying the language at Universities of Foreign Languages, private language schools and monasteries. It is encouraging to note that with the increase in the number of students learning Japanese, the language skills of the contestants have also risen.

In addition to the Japanese Speech Contests, the Japanese Embassy also holds the Japanese Literature Translation Contest, the Japanese Language Proficiency Tests (JLPT) and the Examination for Japanese Universities (EJU), as well as monthly Embassy film shows, annual Japanese Film Festivals and other cultural events.

The Embassy of Japan hopes that Myanmar students learning Japanese can further improve their language skills by actively participating in these educational and cultural activities.

The Winners of the Japanese Speech Contest 2006 are:
(1) 1 st Prize Winner Kyaw Zin Latt Human Nature (The Script of the 1st Prize Winner)

(5)Special Prize Htaik Htaik Htwe Let's walk around the world with Japanese language

The Prize Awarding Ceremony, of the 1 st Japanese Literature Translation Contest 2006, which took place in Yangon and Mandalay simultaneously on 18 March of this year, was held in conjunction with the Japanese Speech Contest 2006, on Saturday 14 October 2006 at the Nikko Hotel Royal Lake, Yangon.

This year, the Japanese Embassy, with a view to raising the standard of reading skills of Myanmar people learning Japanese and to introducing Japanese literature to them, held the 1 st Japanese Literature Translation Contest in place of the Japanese Essay Contest which had been held until last year .

For this Contest, the contestants chose one level out of three levels, namely, Basic, Intermediate and Advanced, according to their proficiency level, and they translated a Japanese literary work of a renowned Japanese writer, Kenji Miyazawa. The following were the topics chosen for the three levels mentioned therein:

Altogether 198 contestants, 107 from Yangon and 91 from Mandalay actively participated in this Contest. This kind of contest is beneficial for those learning Japanese, since it would enable them to assess their own proficiency level and actually put into practice what they have learnt in classrooms. Some contestants gave the following comments; “As the style of the language of the work is different from ordinary Japanese, it was difficult but a good experience”, “I found it difficult to translate Japanese into natural Myanmar ” and “It was my first time to read a Japanese literary work from beginning to end”. All in all, this contest seemed to have uplifted the enthusiasm of Myanmar people learning Japanese.

U Thet Tun, the former President of the Myanmar Association for Japan Alumni (MAJA), who acted as the Head of the Officiating Judges of the Committee for the Japanese Literature Translation Contest, made an overall assessment of the contest and also gave a few words of advice to improve the Contest.

The Japanese Embassy hopes that the contestants' proficiency level at next year's Translation Contest will be even much higher with even more participants than this year.

The Government of Japan has provided medical equipment valued around US$ 92,000 to the Jivitadana Sangha Hospital in Yangon under its Grassroots Grant Assistance Scheme. A ceremony to hand over the equipment was held in the presence of Vice Chairman of the Management Committee U Nyunt, and Mr. Tetsuro Amano, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan, at the hospital on 5 October 2006 .

Jivitadana Sangha Hospital is a 150-bedded charity hospital providing medical and surgical services to monks, nuns and the needy. The hospital is managed by a social services group. In order to support such activities of this hospital, the Government of Japan has already made four times provision of medical equipment totally equivalent to around US$ 270,000 since 1995.

The Government of Japan has been extending assistance to the health sector of Myanmar since decades. It has contributed to the construction of some hospitals, provision of medical equipment and other technical assistance. It is expected that the assistance will provide better diagnosis and more efficient medical service to more patients in need.

The Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided a CT scanner ( * ) valued about US$ 650,000 to the New Yangon General Hospital as part of the Follow-up Cooperation on the Project for Improvement of Medical Equipment for Hospitals in Yangon. On October 2, the ceremony to hand-over the CT scanner was held at the hospital in the presence of Japanese Ambassador Mr. Nobutake Odano and Health Minister of Myanmar Dr. Kyaw Myint. In this ceremony, Myanmar authorities expressed their thanks to the People and the Government of Japan for the cooperation.

The New Yangon General Hospital was built with the Japanese assistance in 1984. The new scanner was provided as the previous one was damaged in a fire in May 2004. The Government of Japan attaches importance to the health sector in Myanmar and it has provided medical equipment to many hospitals and clinics. It is expected that the support will contribute to better diagnosis on patients and save many lives.

( * ) Computed Tomography: An electric device to produce images of the inside of a body.

Orientation and Farewell Reception for Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students for 2006 Academic Year was held.

On September 21, in Yangon, the orientation and farewell reception was held by the Embassy of Japan for Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students of Myanmar for 2006 Academic Year, who will study at university postgraduate course or other research institutions in Japan from this October.

All of the thirty-five participants are young civil servants and researchers who are expected to take part in the future nation building in Myanmar. At the orientation, a member of the embassy gave a detailed explanation about the social and academic life in Japan. Furthermore, a former scholarship teacher shared her own useful experience. The participants eagerly asked questions, such as what kind of points they should pay attention to in their research at Japanese university, how they can make many Japanese friends, and how they can learn the secrets of Japan's development (they will not be satisfied with just obtaining a degree). It was evident that they have high expectations for study in Japan.

Later they attended the Farewell reception, where the Minister of the Embassy of Japan, Deputy Director General, Basic Education Department of the Ministry of Education of Union of Myanmar and President of Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni presented warm congratulatory remarks respectively. In response, U Wunna Han, Assistant Director of the Protocol Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demonstrated his determination in his words of thanks on behalf of the students, saying that this orientation alleviated their worries and that they would do their best in study in Japan. At the reception they had chances to actively interact with many former scholarship teachers and research students, who shared their valuable experiences in Japan. They offered useful advice on life and study in Japan.

Monbukagakusho Scholarship started in 1952 and so far more than seven hundred Myanmar students have studied in Japan. They have not only become prominent leaders in important fields of the Myanmar society but also served as valuable bridge between Japan and Myanmar. This scholarship programs and achievements by individual scholarship holders will further promote the friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

The Japanese Youth Goodwill Mission successfully concluded their visit to Myanmar on September 19, 2006. Twelve young Japanese participants enjoyed their twenty-day visit under the exchange of international youth development programme hosted by the Government of Japan (Cabinet Office). This annual visit, which started in 2001, has provided a good opportunitiy for Young Japanese people (mostly in their twenties) to interact with local Myanmar people and promoted the mutual understanding between them.

Thanks to kind cooperation by the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), the Japanese participants paid visit to Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Taunggyi. Through the briefings and exchange of views with the officials of the Myanmar government, university professors and art people, they received first-hand and vivid knowledge and understanding about the life, history and culture of Myanmar, which could not possibly have been obtained just through books or documents.

"Home Stay" was one of the highlights of their visit. The paticipants actually stayed with ordinary Myanmar family in Yangon, Bagan and Taunggi. Each "Home Stay" lastd three days and the participants experienced warm hospitality, home-cooking, communication by hands and body. At the end of each home stay they found it difficult to bid farewell to each other. The family also found this opportunity useful to interact with the young paticipants in order to understand Japanese people, their society and culture.

On the last night of their visit, they attended a dinner hosted by the Embassy of Japan for the exchange of the two countries. At the dinner as a token of gratitude to the Myanmar people, they performed a Japanese traditional dance and some songs to which they received big applause from the Myanmar guests. In concluding this meaningful visit, they unanimously said that they became interested in Myanmar and they would wish to visit the country again in the future.

1. On 3 rd September 2006 , Myanmar Government in consultation with UNICEF in Myanmar had carried out National Immunization activities on Polio in 80 townships in the 100-mile radius of Pyin Oo Lwin Township in Mandalay Division. Children under 5 in those townships were given oral polio vaccine after detection of the virus in a 19–month old child in April 2006 in Pyin Oo Lwin Township in Mandalay Division.

Upon invitation of the Ministry of Health in Myanmar , Ambassador Mr. Nobutake Odano has participated in the launching ceremony of the vaccination in Pyin Oo Lwin Township. This polio vaccination is supposed to be administered twice and next is scheduled in October 2006.

2. For this immunization activity, Japanese Government has provided about 2.8 Million Japanese Yen through UNICEF in Myanmar .

3. The assistance is aimed at relieving children in Myanmar from Polio and it is regarded as very emergency, significant and high necessity on humanitarian grounds. For the benefit of the needy, Japanese government will continue to support those humanitarian assistances as and when necessary.

Japan's assistance to "Renovation of the Rural Health Centres in Magwe Division"

JOICFP - a Japanese NGO engaging in maternal and child health, and reproductive health, in collaboration with UNFPA Myanmar, has made an effort to improve the health status in Magwe division. Supporting its attempt, Japanese Government under the Japan's NGO Grant Assistance Scheme, has provided about US$ 93,000 to JOICFP for its project of renovation of 12 Rural Health Centres (RHC) in various townships of Magwe division. The ceremony to mark the opening of the renovated RHCs was held on 14th July 2006 at the RHC in Gwe Pin village. Present on the occasion were, among others, Dr. Thein Thein Htay - Director for Public Health of the Ministry of Health, Mr.Daniel B.Baker - Representative of UNFPA Myanmar, Ms.Sumie Ishii - Executive Director of JOICFP and Mr. Masashi Ogawa Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan .

This renovation of RHCs, which is a significant multilateral project implemented by Japanese NGO, UN, Myanmar Government and Japanese Government, provides people in this area an access to quality medical care especially in regard to maternal and child health.

Fire engine and Ambulance donated to Fire Services Department by NPO Minzoku Forum

NPO Minzoku Forum - Japan donated a fire engine and an ambulance which were given by Japanese local government to Yangon Fire Services Department and the handing-over ceremony was held on 4 th July 2006. Japanese government, under the Japan 's NGO Grant Assistance Scheme, contributed about US$ 6,500 for the transportation, and necessary repair and maintenance before shipping the vehicles to Myanmar . Minister of the Embassy of Japan in Myanmar - Mr. Tetsuro Amano joined the event. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Director-General of Fire Services Department U Myint Tun and Local Representative of NPO Minzoku Forum U Myint Maung.

It is expected that the assistance will contribute to Yangon Fire Services Department's work in case of emergency such as fire, accidents and serious illness.

Special Film Show "Thway" and Special Lecture titled “Mr. Yoji Yamada, Japanese film director and Transition of Japanese film world” by Mr. Koji Chino, the “THWAY” film director

The Embassy of Japan with cooperation of the Ministry of Information of the Union of Myanmar, held special shows of the first Japan-Myanmar collaboration film "Thway".

The film is based on a bestseller novel "Thway", written by a well-known writer Journal Gyaw Ma Ma Lay.

The film was directed by Mr. Koji Chino, one of the masters of modern Japanese film world, who has devoted his passion to developing friendship between Myanmar and Japan, and it was casted by Japanese and Myanmar actors and actresses including Myo Thanda Tun（Ma Thwe Thwe）, Min Maw Kun（Maung Maung）, Akari Asou（Yumi Yoshida）, and Toshiyuki Nagashima（Toshio Yoshida）.

On 25 May 2006, a special lecture was given by Mr. Koji Chino, the director of the film “THWAY” at the Assembly Hall of the Japanese Embassy, Yangon. The lecture was attended by about 100 audiences including members of the Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayone, actors and directors, students studying the Japanese language and so on.

During the lecture, Mr. Chino mainly lectured on the trend of the Japanese film world, with the interesting episode concerning the film “THWAY” and Mr. Yoji Yamada, a Japanese leading film diector by whom the Japanese film “Twilight Samurai” was directed, through his rich experience.

The lecture was followed by a film show of the “Twilight Samurai”.

On 9 th May 2006, Ambassador Odano of Japan visited the Kokang People's Hospital in Laukkai City in Northern Shan State Special Region No (1) and officially handed over some medical equipment such as x-ray machine and ultrasound scanner. The contribution worth about US$ 81, 000 was made under the Grassroots Grant Assistance Scheme of the Government of Japan. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Hla Myint, Laukkai Area Commander Brig-Gen Tun Nay Lin and Kokang Leader U Phone Kyar Shin. It is expected that the assistance will improve the medical service to local people in Kokang area.

On the same day, Ambassador Odano joined the ceremonies to mark the opening of an elementary school and a community centre in Lonten, and handing over of a building and related facilities to the Myanmar Agricultural Service (MAS) farm in Nali supported by Japan 's International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as part of the social development programme for ex-opium farmers.

Opening Ceremony for the Counseling and Training Centre for Drug Addicts in Yangon

1. Japanese Government, under the Grassroots Grant Assistance Scheme, donated about US$ 66, 000 to Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association (MANA) on 19 November 2004 for construction of the Drug Counselling and Training Centre in Yangon. The center was formally opened on 30 May 2006 in the presence of Ambassador Mr. Nobutake Odano, Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence and Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo.

2. Myanmar has been striving to eradicate the narcotic drug and Japan extends humanitarian assistance to help victims of drug problems. This time, the Drug Counselling and Training Centre will serve as the venue for rehabilitation of drug addicts, and conducting training and seminars for counsellors and advisors.

3. It is expected that the support will contribute to reducing drug abuse and thereby fighting the danger of the narcotic drug in Myanmar.

Lecture & Demonstration ”Changes of the Japanese Society and its Make-up Trend” to be held by the Embassy of Japan

The Japanese Embassy, Yangon held a lecture and demonstration; ”Changes of the Japanese Society and its Make-up Trend” The lecture was held according to the following schedule;

The lecture was presented by Ms. Midoriko KATO, a talented Japanese make-up artist from the Shiseido Beauty Creation Center . She performed the latest Tokyo-style make-up demonstration as well.

Date	：	14 October, Saturday, from 9:00am ~ noon
Venue	：	Ballroom 2, Hotel Nikko Royal Yangon 1 st floor

Date	：	24 May (Wednesday), 2006 09:00-13:30
Venue	：	Thamada Cinema Hall, Yangon

Date	：	31 May (Wednesday), 2006 09:00-13:30
Venue	：	Myoma Cinema Hall, Mandalay

Date	：	4^th April (Tuesday), 2006 14:30-16:30
Venue	：	Sedona Hotel, Yangon.
Language	：	Japanese (translation into Myanmar)