Japan deepens ties with Mekong

Japan pledged ¥500 billion in fresh aid to the Mekong region after concluding a summit Saturday aimed at catching up with neighboring China in strengthening its partnership with the Southeast Asian region.

Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar joined host Japan at the two-day meeting, which underlined Tokyo's determination to go after its rich natural resources and cheap labor. China already has a major presence in the region.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said the meeting was held partly to respond to "changing international situations," including China's growing influence there and the greater interest in the Mekong being expressed by the United States. It was the first meeting of its kind hosted by Japan.

The leaders wrapped up the meeting with a "Tokyo declaration" that commits Japan to helping out with 63 projects in the region, including port, airport and power line construction, private-sector investment and an exchange program that will bring 30,000 people, including youngsters, to Japan over the next three years.

The leaders of Japan and five Southeast Asia countries also agreed to step up cooperation on environmental protection and climate change over the next 10 years in an initiative to start "a Decade toward the Green Mekong."

The initiative, which will kick off next year, is part of the broader "Hatoyama Initiative," a proposal Hatoyama offered up in September to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries that are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Japan hosted the two-day event against the backdrop of stepped-up efforts to support countries along the Mekong River, a region where it seeks to bolster its influence and secure investment opportunities amid China's growing presence.

As a regional vision, Japan and the Mekong countries agreed the area should aim to contribute actively to the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and to the building of an East Asian community in the long term, based on such principles as openness and transparency.

On military-ruled Myanmar, Japan and the Mekong countries, including Myanmar, declared that they expect the junta to take more positive steps toward democracy.