Embassy of Japan in Myanmar

Handing-Over Ceremony of Outpatient Department Facility for Thakayta Township Hospital Constructed under Japan ' s Grassroots Grant Assistance Scheme in Yangon Region

The Government of Japan, under its Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGA) Scheme, granted US$95,105 for the construction of the Outpatient Department Facility building for Thakayta Township Hospital in Yangon Region on 31 March 2011. The handing-over ceremony was attended by Mr. Ichiro Maruyama, Minister-Counselor/Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan , Dr. Myint Thein, Minister for Social Affairs of Yangon Region, Dr. Hla Myint, Yangon Region Regional Health Director and other responsible officials from respective organizations, and local residents.

Handing-over ceremony was took place on 5 December 2011 to officially open the Outpatient Department Facility for Thakayta Township Hospital.

In order to benefit the Myanmar people in the area of health such as this project to upgrade the quality of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment at Thakayta Township Hospital , the Government of Japan will continue to provide funding through its GGA Scheme. It is expected that this assistance will benefit HIV/AIDS patients who wish to receive medical treatment privately, and it is hoped that this will further strengthening existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Handing-Over Ceremony of New School Building of Mingalar Theikdhi Nunnery Primary School, South Dagon Township, Yangon Region

The handing-over ceremony of the new school building of Mingalar Theikdhi Nunnery Primary School in South Dagon Township, which was constructed by the Government of Japan, under its Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGA) Scheme, was held in Yangon on 7 November 2011.

The handing-over ceremony was attended by Mr. Hideaki Matsuo, Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan , Dr. Myint Thein, Minister for Social Affairs of Yangon Region, U Than Myint, Minister for Planning and Economics of Yangon Region , other responsible officials from respective organizations and the local residents .

At the ceremony, Mr. Matsuo said “We hope that the new school building will be used with care for many years to come, and that the children who study at this school built by Japan's assistance will grow up to help future development of Myanmar .

In reply , Daw Varanyani, Principal of Mingalar Theikdhi Nunnery Primary School, mentioned words of thanks to the Government of Japan and said “T his nunnery school has been providing education to poor children over the past 13 years and the children have had to study in dark , small classrooms of the school. But now, the children have an opportunity to learn in light-filled classrooms of the new school building constructed by the Japanese people and the Embassy of Japan. ”

T he Government of Japan, under its GGA scheme , has implemented altogether 5 53 projects in Myanmar to date and among them, 2 13 schools such as this one have been completed .

For this project , the Government of Japan granted US$ 93,437 to construct this two-storyed school building including 5 classrooms, desks&chairs and toilet.

The Government of Japan will continue to provide support in the education sector through its GGA scheme, and hopes that such assistance s will strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Orientation and Farewell Reception for Japanese Government Scholarship Students for 2011

On 26 th September, 2011, an orientation and a farewell reception hosted by H.E. Mr. Takashi Saito, Ambassador of Japan were held for Japanese Government Scholarship Students for 2011 Academic Year. The students will study at universities or other research institutes for postgraduate or equivalent courses in Japan from this October. The students are young civil servants, in-service teachers and Japanese language students, who are expected to take part in the future nation building in Myanmar.

At the orientation, explanation was given about the social and academic life in Japan by an Embassy staff, followed by an experience talk by a former scholarship student.

At the farewell reception, H.E. Mr. Takashi Saito, Ambassador of Japan and Ambassador U Thet Tun, Patron of the Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA) gave warm congratulatory remarks. In response, Ms. Pwin Kay Khine from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered words of thanks on behalf of all the scholarship students. Finally, Mr. Myint Wai, President of MAJA proposed a toast for the participants. Many former Japanese Scholarship students attended the reception, which provided a good opportunity for the outgoing students to hear stories from their seniors and seek for necessary advices.

Japanese Government Scholarship started in 1952, and so far, more than one thousand Myanmar students studied in Japan under the scheme. They have not only become prominent leaders in important fields of the Myanmar society but also served as a valuable bridge between Japan and Myanmar. We believe that this scholarship programs and the achievements by individual scholarship holders will further promote the friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Japanese Language Teachers’ Seminar

The Embassy of Japan organized the seminars for Japanese Language teachers at HITO Center in Mandalay and at the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Chambers & Commerce in Yangon on August 27 and 28.

This seminar was the eighth seminar since it started five years ago in Myanmar, in cooperation with the Japan Foundation. This time, Ms. Kanako Osada, a Japanese-Language Education Advisor of Khon Kean University, Thailand dispatched by Japan Foundation gave lectures on “Enjoyable Grammar Exercises ― Practical Use of Picture Cards ― “.

A total of 55 Japanese language teachers, 37 from Yangon and 18 from Mandalay attended the seminar and learnt a Japanese language teaching device by using picture cards. The participants expressed their satisfaction and appreciation by the following comments, “I learnt that one picture card could be used in various way for teaching such as a word, conversations and so on”, “Since this seminar is very useful for Japanese Language teachers in this country, we would like to have it continuously”. As these responses showed, the seminar is very beneficial for Japanese language teachers in Myanmar.

The Embassy of Japan is willing to hold similar seminars in the future with the aim of promoting the Japanese Language education and further disseminating the Japanese Language in Myanmar.

Orientation and Farewell Reception for Japanese Government Scholarship Students for 2011

On 28th March, 2011, an orientation and a farewell reception were held for Japanese Government Scholarship Students for 2011 Academic Year. Most of the students will study at universities or research institutes for postgraduate or equivalent courses in Japan from April. Thirteen students participated in the event. They are mainly young civil servants or scholars, who are expected to take part in the future nation building in Myanmar.

At the orientation, detailed explanation was given about the social and academic life in Japan by an Embassy staff, followed by an experience talk by former scholarship students.

At the farewell reception, H.E. Mr. Takashi Saito, Ambassador of Japan gave a congratulatory remark followed by an explanation on objective facts and data regarding the damage by the Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and the accident and troubles at the nuclear power plants. In response, words of thanks were delivered by the scholarship students. Many former Japanese Scholarship students attended the reception, which provided a good opportunity for the outgoing students to hear stories from their seniors and seek for necessary advices.

Japanese Government Scholarship started in 1952, and so far, almost one thousand Myanmar students studied in Japan under the scheme. They have not only become prominent leaders in important fields of the Myanmar society but also served as a valuable bridge between Japan and Myanmar. We believe that this scholarship programs and the achievements by individual scholarship holders will further promote the friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Handing-over Ceremony of Medical Equipment for Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Free-charged Clinic in Mandalay Region

The Government of Japan, under its Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGA) Scheme, granted US$ 51,650 for provision of Medical Equipment for Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Free-charged Clinic in Mandalay Region for 2010.

Nine medical equipment such as Ultrasound, Eye Operation Microscope, Auto Kerato Refractometer and others funded by the Government of Japan, were handed over by Mr. Kiyotomi Tada, Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy to the authorities concerned on February 16, 2011. At the ceremony, the Head of the monastic free-charged clinic expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and the people for the assistance.

Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Free-charged Clinic was opened in 2001 in Mandalay City in order to offer free medical services to those who cannot afford such services. The clinic has provided various medical treatments to approximately 36,000 patients yearly. Since the clinic had been facing difficulty to purchase appropriate equipment to enhance the public health, the Government of Japan funded through its GGA Programme the provision of medical equipment.

It is expected that this assistance will benefit the people in Mandalay City by facilitating easy access to free medical services, and further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Handing-over Ceremony of Water Supply System for Kansaung Village in Magwe Region

The Government of Japan, under its Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGA) Scheme, granted US$ 32,579 for the construction of the Water Supply System for Kansaung Village in Chaungtet Village Tract, Chauk Township, Magwe Region for 2009.

A new deep tube-well (600 ft) and related facilities such as a 5,000 gallon capacity concrete water storage tank, water pump and generator set which was constructed for this tube-well under GGA Scheme, was handed over by Mr. Kiyotomi Tada, Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy to the authorities concerned on February 17, 2011. At the ceremony, the Chairman of the Village Water Committee expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for providing assistance to the Village Community.

The Kansaung Village is situated in the central dry zone in Myanmar. From December to August, villagers are forced to fetch water for their daily use from far away water sources, Which is a one or two hour walk from the village.

It is expected that this assistance will help the villagers save the time spent on fetching water for their daily use, enabling them to engage more in other activities for the improvement of their lives, and further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Seminar on Industrial Promotion (Especially SME) and the Role of FDIE

On February 18, the Embassy of Japan and the Union of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI) jointly organized “Seminar on Industrial Promotion (especially Small and Medium sized Enterprises) and the Role of FDIE (Foreign Direct Investment Enterprises)” at UMFCCI office tower. More than 170 industry-related people attended the seminar.

Mr. Tatsuya Hoshino, an international business advisor of Organization for SME & Regional, Japan (SMRJ), who is a specialist of industrial promotion of CLMV countries, lectured on “Industrial Promotion (especially SME) and the Role of FDIE” . This was followed by an introductory lecture on “Current Situation and Issue of SME; Concerning with Special Economic Zone Law and FDI” by U Aung Khin Myint, Central Executive Committee Member of UMFCCI.

Some of the comments from the audience are follows;“The Subject was appropriate for Myanmar as SMEs are important for developing modern industrialization in recent period.” “ Lectures were very interesting and helpful for Myanmar SMEs.”

The Embassy of Japan hopes that this seminar stimulated the economic relations between Myanmar and Japan to be deeper and stronger.

Handing-over Ceremony of Thiri Mingalar Monastic Primary School in Myingyan, Mandalay Region

The Government of Japan, under its Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGA) Scheme, granted US$ 99,450 for the construction of Thiri Mingalar Monastic Primary School in Myingyan, Mandalay Region for 2010.

New two school buildings and related facilities such as furniture, which were constructed for this monastic school under the GGA Scheme, were handed over by Mr. Kiyotomi Tada, Second Secretary of the Japanese Embassy to the authorities concerned on February 16, 2011. At the ceremony, the Principal of the School expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government for providing assistance to the Monastic School.

This Monastic School started to provide formal education to 172 children in 2004. Since the opening, the classes have been conducted in the monastery building and in temporary buildings, which need repair or reconstruction every year. About 400 students are currently studying at this Monastic School.

A one-storied reinforced concrete of two buildings with 7 classrooms with furniture were constructed under Japan’s GGA programme to enable the Monastic School to provide a better learning environment.

It is expected that this assistance will benefit the children of Thiri Mingalar Monastic Primary School, thereby further strengthening existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Japanese Language Teacher's Seminar, Yangon and Mandalay

The Embassy of Japan organized the seminars for Japanese Language teachers in Mandalay HITO Center and in Yangon at the Union of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI) on February 12 and 13.
This seminar was the seventh seminar since it started five years ago in Myanmar, in cooperation with the Japan Foundation. Ms. Miki Shibuya, a Lecturer from the Japanese Cultural Center at the Japan Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand gave lectures on “Device for Teaching KANJI”.
A total of 82 Japanese language teachers, 54 from Yangon and 28 from Mandalay attended the seminar and learnt methods and device for teaching KANJI. Over 90% of participants who responded to the evaluation questionnaire said that the seminar was very useful. This showed that the seminar was very beneficial for Japanese language teachers in Myanmar.
The Embassy of Japan is willing to hold similar seminars in the future with the aim of promoting the Japanese Language education and further disseminating the Japanese Language in Myanmar.

Handing Over Ceremony of West Okkyin Monastic Primary School, Shwepyitha Township, Yangon Region

The Government of Japan, under its Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGA) Scheme, granted US$ 95,700 for the construction of a building of West Okkyin Monastic Primary School in Shwepyitha Township, Yangon Region on August 31, 2010.

The new School building and related facilities such as furniture and a water tank, which were constructed under the GGA Scheme for this school, were handed over by Mr. Hiroshi NOMURA, Second Secretary of Japanese Embassy to the authorities concerned on February 10, 2011 at the school. At the ceremony, U Than Win, the chairman of the school construction committee, expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government.

In order to create a better education environment for students, the Government of Japan will continue to provide funding through its GGA Scheme for education. It is expected that this assistance will benefit students in their pursuit of formal studies, thereby further strengthening existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Handing-over Ceremony of operation room equipped with medical and sanitary facilities for Pin Le Bu Township Hospital in Sagaing Region

The Government of Japan, under its Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGA) Scheme, granted US$ 96,825 to the Pin Le Bu Township Hospital on January 19, 2010 for the construction of a modernized operation room with medical equipment and sanitary facilities. A single-story building, a walkway to the hospital, medical equipment and sanitary facilities were handed over in the presence of Mr. Masuya Nishikuramori, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan and the authorities concerned on January 27, 2011. At the ceremony, Secretary of the Township Peace and Development Council, U Aye Lwin expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government for providing assistance to the Pin Le Bu Township Hospital.

The Pin Le Bu Township Hospital was established in 1960 to offer medical services to the people in Pin Le Bu township situated 240 miles away from Mandalay City. Since the building of the hospital had aged and the facilities of the operation room were not enough to offer appropriate medical services, the people had tried to improve the Pin Le Bu Township Hospital. In recognition of the importance to upgrade medical services in remote areas, the Government of Japan funded through its Grassroots Grant Assistance programme the construction of a modernized operation room equipped with medical and sanitary facilities.

It is expected that this assistance will improve the Pin Le Bu Township Hospital's service and benefit the people in Pin Le Bu township, thereby further strengthening existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar. T

The Japanese Government will continue to provide assistance which benefits Myanmar people.

Handing-over Ceremony of sub rural health center with medical equipment, water supply and sanitary facilities for Par San Sub Rural Health Center in Shan State

The Government of Japan, under its Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGA) Scheme, granted US$ 48,536 to the Par San Sub Rural Health Center on January 27, 2010 for the construction of an upgraded sub rural health center . A single-story building, medical equipment, water supply and sanitary facilities were handed over in the presence of Mr. Hiroshi Nomura, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan and the authorities concerned on January 25, 2011. At the ceremony, State Health Director Dr. U Aung Kyi Swe expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government for providing assistance to the Par San Sub Rural Health Center.

Par San Village is situated 56 miles away from Keng Tung, Shan(East) State’s capital. Par San Sub Rural Health Center was established in 1990 to offer public health services to the people in Par San Village and 48 neighbor villages in Mong Phyak Township, however the building of the center and its facilities were not enough for appropriate health care services. Since rural health centers are very important to promote the health of people in remote areas, the Government of Japan funded through its Grassroots Grant Assistance programme the construction of a modernized sub rural health center with medical equipment, water supply and sanitary facilities.

It is expected that this assistance will improve the Par San Sub Rural Health Center 's service and benefit the people in Par San village and the neighbor villages, thereby further strengthening existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

The Japanese Government will continue to provide assistance which benefits Myanmar people.

Gathering and Workshop for Former JENESYS Participants

On January 21, 2011, the Gathering and Workshop for Former JENESYS Participants was held.

Nearly 300 young Myanmar people from various fields visited Japan under Japan-East Asia Network of Students and Youths (JENESYS) program since it started in 2007.This event was the first gathering for all JENESYS participants in Myanmar. Ninety two former participants from various sectors attended this event to share their experiences.

This event started with presentations titled “How did/can we utilize our experiences in Japan: for our activities, network among us and further linkage/friendship with Japan”, by five JENESYS future leader programs’ participants. After a Question and Answer session, all participants were divided into five groups and a group discussion followed. At the end of the workshop, representatives of each group delivered the summary of what they had discussed as a group. The event took place in a heated and amicable atmosphere where participants shared their experiences in Japan and how they are utilizing it.
The Embassy of Japan hopes that this event will establish keen connection among the JENESYS participants in Myanmar and promote further friendship between Japan and Myanmar.

Reunion Party for Former Japanese Scholarship Students in Yangon

On January 21, 2011, the Reunion Party for Former Japanese Scholarship Students was held in Yangon hosted by H.E. Mr. Takashi Saito, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar. Such reunion parties have been recently held every year in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw, and this party was the Fifth to be held in Yangon.

Nearly ninety former students and government officials of relevant sectors attended this party. The party took place in an amicable and friendly atmosphere where participants discussed about their research in Japan, exchanged their memories and took photos with each other.

Many former Japanese scholarship students are now playing important roles in respective professional fields in Myanmar, utilizing their experience in Japan. The Embassy of Japan hopes that they will play an active role in furthering the friendship and mutual understanding between Myanmar and Japan, as friends of Japan.

Handing Over Ceremony of Nat Mauk Vijja Sippan Monastic Primary School in North Okkalapa Township, Yangon Region

The Government of Japan, under its Grassroots Grant Assistance (GGA) Scheme, granted US$89,050 for the construction of a building of Nat Mauk Vijja Sippan Monastic Primary School in North Okkalapa Township, Yangon Region on 13 January 2010.

The new School building and related facilities such as furniture and a water tank, which were constructed under the GGA Scheme for this school, were handed over by His Excellency Mr. Takashi SAITO, Ambassador of Japan to the Union of Myanmar at the School with the presence of H.E. Thura U Myint Maung on January 23, 2011.

In order to create a better education environment for students, the Government of Japan will continue to provide funding through its GGA Scheme for education. It is expected that this assistance will benefit students in their pursuit of formal studies, thereby further strengthening existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

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