3.1.7. Mekong–Japan Cooperation

Mekong–Japan connectivity is another important dimension for the Mekong Region. It aims to promote infrastructure development in the region and to enhance institutional connectivity through the improvement of systems, development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and other industrial bases, industrial promotion measures, improvement of customs procedures, and people-to-people connectivity to ensure that the whole region benefits from growth [71]. Key pillars of cooperation in the development of infrastructure are to fill the missing links of the East–West and Southern Economic Corridors. Once the links are filled, they will connect the corridors more smoothly through the improvement of systems such as customs procedures; they will also promote land development along the corridors (e.g., the development of industrial parks, industrial promotion measures, and so on) and improve access from neighboring areas to corridors so that the region can develop as a whole. Finally, they will help to promote the development of industrial human resources that will support growth in the region and strengthen people-to-people networks.

It can be argued that the Mekong Subregion has benefited significantly from the infrastructure improvement brought by official development assistance support from Japan, with high-quality roads, bridges, and other hard and soft infrastructure.
