Strengthening Myanmar-Japan Friendship to themutual benefit of both peoples
By U Soe Han
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic ofthe Union of Myanmar to Japan
Today marks the 74th anniversary of the Independence Day of theRepublic of the Union of Myanmar. On this auspicious occasion, I am
pleased to extend, on behalf of the government and the people ofMyanmar, our heartfelt appreciation and warm greetings to Their
Majesties the Emperor and the Empress, and the government and thepeople of Japan, for their efforts and support in maintaining and furtherstrengthening the historic and long-lasting friendship between Myanmarand Japan.
Since after establishing diplomatic relations in November 1954,Myanmar and Japan have been enjoying cordial relations and close
cooperation based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, andmutual benefit. Strong people-to-people relations has also contributed inconsolidating the long-lasting friendship and cooperation between thetwo countries.
The government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar sincerely
congratulated the efforts of Japanese government and people insuccessfully hosting the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games in 2021
even under the strains of the Covid-19 pandemic. Myanmar is proud toparticipate in the Tokyo Olympics by sending athletes to compete in thegames. We also congratulate the Japanese athletes for their talents invarious kinds of sports, grabbed 58 medals including 27 golds andbrought Japan to No. 3 place in international standing. The Tokyo
Olympics and Paralympics Games will be remembered as the firstinternational Games in promoting friendship and rejoice for the people
under the prevailing situation of Covid-19 around the world.

-2Myanmar Government has been exerting its utmost efforts inprotecting public health and mitigating the economic impact byimplementing its COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan by stimulating theeconomy and boosting spending on health and social safety nets.
Myanmar government highly appreciates the government andpeople of Japan for the technical and financial assistance, together withmedical equipments, Avigan medicines, oxygen concentrators andambulances provided to Myanmar to help support our fight against theCovid-19 pandemic. As of 3 January 2022, nearly 21 million people
nationwide have been vaccinated. Myanmar government set the goal ofvaccinating 75 percent of the population by the middle of 2022.
The Myanmar Investment Commission approved $ 3.79 billion inforeign investment in the fiscal year 2020-2021. Approved FDI fromJapan as of 31st October 2021 exceeds $ 518 million. Japan is the 9thlargest investor in Myanmar and the 3rd largest export market. The
bilateral trade between the two countries has exceeded $ 1.296 billion inthis fiscal year. As situated in the geostrategic location in the region,
Myanmar has ample room for economic growth and, as such, we hopeJapan’s public and private sectors will continue to invest in Myanmar.
Promoting bilateral relations and cooperation between Myanmarand Japan bring mutual benefit to both public and private sectors. The
Thilawa Special Economic Zone is one of the flagship projects between
the two countries. I strongly believe that such cooperation programmes
will highly contribute in our government’s efforts to narrow thedevelopment gap between rural and urban areas.
Myanmar values highly its relations and cooperation with Japan.
Therefore, as an ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar toJapan, I would like to express my firm commitment to further strengthen
the existing friendship and cooperation both with public and private
sectors of Japan to the continued benefit of our two countries andpeoples.

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