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Japan vows $5.6B aid for Mekong region
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-07 00:44

TOKYO: Japan pledged 500 billion yen ($5.6 billion) in new aid Friday to five countries along the Mekong River to fund development projects over the next three years.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced the aid at a meeting in Tokyo of leaders from the five Mekong countries -- Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. He did not give details of the assistance.

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The new aid covers projects starting next year. Japan has already committed nearly 400 billion yen for the region since 2007.

The leaders are discussing regional development and economic growth, climate change and other global issues during two days of meetings that began Friday.

Hatoyama was to hold separate talks with each of the five leaders on Saturday.

Japan plans to step up its support for development and infrastructure projects in the region, while providing technology to help the nations cut emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

The Mekong summit reflects Japanese efforts to seek a greater role in the region, which has rich natural resources and low-cost labor.

Since taking office in September, Hatoyama has been floating the idea of an East Asian Community that would group Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to enhance regional ties.