Abe's Thailand Visit: Japan ' Very Interested' In Dawei Port Project

[webfact]

ABE'S VISIT

Japan 'very interested' in Dawei Port project

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plants a jackfruit tree in the compound of the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology in Bangkok yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Japan sought to strengthen its strategic partnership with Thailand yesterday by expressing an interest in taking part in the project to develop Dawei Port in Myanmar and other infrastructure development projects in Thailand.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in Thailand for an official visit, yesterday held discussions on these and a range of other issues with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

A tri-party mechanism involving Japan, Thailand and Myanmar will work out the details of cooperation in the Dawei project later, Yingluck told a joint press conference with Abe yesterday.

Thailand and Myanmar have both expressed their willingness for Japanese participation in the development of the Dawei Special Economic Zone, which is a flagship project of the Yingluck government, aimed at opening a trade route to the Indian Ocean.

Thailand and Myanmar have set up joint mechanisms to work out a master plan and details of the project, which are expected to be tangible by the first quarter of this year.

Abe said Japan is ready to participate in Thailand's infrastructure development in order to enhance economic cooperation with the Kingdom and Asean.

Japan was also interested in many other sectors, including high-speed rail, green technology, automobile, aviation and energy, Yingluck said.

Abe's visit to Thailand is the second leg of his Asean tour, which began in Vietnam and will end in Indonesia tomorrow. His visit is regarded as a move to firm up Tokyo's stance in Southeast Asia against competition from China.

Thailand is important for Japan as a regional hub in Southeast Asia, which is considered a fast-growing region in the 21st century, Abe said. Japan is Thailand's largest trading partner and investor.

Thailand and Japan share basic values such as democracy, the market economy and the rule of law, he said.

To boost economic ties, Japan called for more bilateral trade and investment as well as increased Japanese cooperation in infrastructure development projects in Thailand.

The Dawei project and other infrastructure developments, such as the high-speed rail service and flood management, are among sectors Japan is interested in helping develop, Japanese foreign ministry press secretary Yutaka Yokoi said.

Japan was proud of the safe technology and advances made after long experience in developing its high-speed train service, he said.

Abe's Asean tour is his first foreign trip since beginning his second tenure as head of government, amid tensions with China over territorial disputes in East and Southeast Asia.

Like some countries in Asean, including Vietnam and the Philippines, Japan is in an increasingly heated dispute with China over ownership of islands and sea territory.

Abe said Japan believed Thailand would exercise bilateral and multilateral channels and potential to solve the problems in the region, amid the changing environment.

Meanwhile, former Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said Abe's Southeast Asian tour was a very positive sign for the growth of Asean and Asia. "Japan has more than an economy. It has strong fundamentals and the prime minister's visit will clearly show that Asia plays an important global role and is a region that will continue to be part of global growth," he said.

-- The Nation 2013-01-18

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THAI-JAPANESE RELATIONS

Abe keeps date with Thai-Nichi Institute

Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday walked into the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology with his new political title but old ties.

"The atmosphere was all cordial even though his visit was brief," TNI president Krisada Visavateeranon said yesterday. Abe had offered plenty of advice to the Technology Promotion Association on its plan to establish the TNI six years ago in Suan Luang district.

Abe is on his first overseas trip as the Japanese government leader. Despite his tight schedule, he managed to drop by the TNI, where he was greeted with a flower garland, a troupe of Japanese-style and Thai-style drummers and hundreds of beaming students.

He looked happy viewing an exhibition showing his family's ties to the TNI. His late father was actively engaged in the work of the TPA, which gave birth to the TNI. Abe's wife also visited the TPA a few years ago.

When Abe was an MP, he visited the TNI twice. On the 2009 trip, he planted a stargooseberry tree in its compound. In 2010, he showed up at the TNI with books and Japanese employers. Abe clearly hoped to match the needs of soon-to-be graduates and the firms with vacancies.

Krisada said yesterday that Abe was pleased to hear that about half of the TNI's alumni now work in Japan and half for Japanese firms in Thailand.

Abe stayed at the TNI for just about half an hour, but long enough to plant a jackfruit tree in the compound - something else to reaffirming his close ties to this school.

-- The Nation 2013-01-18

[Robby nz]

Pity he wasnt interested in buying rice

[dcutman]

Thailand and Japan share basic values such as democracy, the market economy and the rule of law,

Surely he is not making a comparison, with Japans rule of law. and democracy.

Edited January 18, 2013 by dcutman

[Locationthailand]

So what's the hidden real agenda?

[webfact]

Thailand, Japan to expand cooperation on economic development

By English News

BANGKOK, Jan 18 – Thailand and Japan have agreed to enhance their cooperation and partnership in various development mega projects, especially regarding high speed trains, massive anti-flood system and industrial development related to Myanmar's Dawei deep seaport and related infrastructure on the Thai-Myanmar border, it was reported last night.

The bilateral talks at Government House were attended by high-level officials of the two countries, led by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.

The Japanese delegation was reportedly keen on jointly investing with Thailand and Myanmar on development of the Dawei special industrial zone given its strategic location to connect East Asia with major markets in South Asia and Europe.

A tripartite meeting among Thailand, Japan and Myanmar will be scheduled to specially discuss the Dawei project.

Ms Yingluck expressed her appreciation to Mr Abe’s visit to Thailand as part of his three-country tour shortly after taking office – clearly emphasising the significance of Thai-Japanese and Thai-ASEAN relationships. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Exchange and Cooperation.

Mr Abe earlier visited Vietnam and will travel to Indonesia after departing Bangkok.

Ms Yingluck said Japanese investment in Thailand increased by 85 per cent in the first 11 months of last year – a sign of Japanese investors’ confidence in Thailand, adding that the two countries will boost cooperation on development of green technology, automotive, aircraft, energy, science and human resources particularly training of skilled and semi-skilled labour to be supplied to Japanese industries in Thailand and the region.

The Thai premier said a six-party meeting should be urgently held to discuss the situation in Korean Peninsula and to push for a genuine nuclear-free zone in Asia.

Ms Yingluck hosted a dinner in honour of Mr Abe and his wife after their press conference yesterday evening. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-18

[Payboy]

Pity he wasnt interested in buying rice

Looks like he's bought into a lot of rice, though.

[indyuk]

A very encouraging visit and continuum of bilateral cooperation strengthening with the introduction of new joint project interests. It is particularly pleasing that Mr Abe was granted an audience with the King of Thailand during his short visit. Congratulations are due to PM Yingluck.

Edited January 18, 2013 by indyuk

[bunuel]

The article neglects to put this official visit in the larger context of deteriorating Sino- Japanese relations and Japanese economic problems. As Paul Krugman noted in the NY Times, PM Abe feels he has a mandate to make big changes, and one of those planned changes is relocating Japanese investments in China to more reliable Asian partners like Thailand.

This is a potential bonanza for Thailand. On the ground, Japanese are already planning to rxpand operations ib Sri Racha and Rayong, and there are negotiations to build the long-awaited hi speed rail from Bangkok to Laemchabang, Pattaya, etc. As those familiar with Japan know, the Japanese take time to make decisions, but once they do, they are all business.

A new year's gift for Thailand and the Yingluck government!

[khunken]

A very encouraging visit and continuum of bilateral cooperation strengthening with the introduction of new joint project interests. It is particularly pleasing that Mr Abe was granted an audience with the King of Thailand during his short visit. Congratulations are due to PM Yingluck.

Gawd - the bootlicking is sickening.

[Rancid]

As someone commented on a similar thread Japans renewed love for Thailand is purely about problems with China, if they are clever though both countries could benefit. Mind you after 20 years of deflation and economic contraction after bailing out their banking sector (now where have I heard that before?) Japan has built up some serious debt, Abe's solution is more of the same in bigger doses, no doubt that will end well. More of the same multiplied, now what was that old definition of insanity, doing the same thing and expecting different outcomes.

[SouthernMan3]

Pity he wasnt interested in buying rice

Good one mate

[TheGhostWithin]

So what's the hidden real agenda?

The friend of your enemy is not your friend. Japan does not want China playing an increased role in the area. This is a growth area (Burmese/Thai trade) and gives Thailand access to other rapidly developing markets, such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Mongolia. Japan is trying to minimise China's impact on the area as the more intrenched they become and the more influential they become, the less friends Japan will have in the area, and the more money China will have to fire rockets at Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia should the time ever come.

Japan and China are playing chess in SE Asia. Abe is already 5 years behind China, sadly.

Edited January 19, 2013 by TheGhostWithin