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Japan and Southeast Asia Fact sheet released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs U.S. Department of State, June 26, 2000

Indonesia: Japan continues to be a strong supporter of Indonesia's democratization. Working with the UN Development Program, Japan made substantial contributions to Indonesia's June 1999 parliamentary elections. Japan also played a constructive role during the presidential elections later that year. Japanese leaders have expressed full support for President Wahid, most recently by Prime Minister Mori during Wahid's April 2000 visit to Tokyo. During the East Timor crisis, Japan again played a key role, contributing approximately USD 300 million and civilian personnel to various transition efforts.

Burma: The U.S. and Japan share a commitment to promoting political reform and human rights in Burma. During a November 1999 meeting, then-Prime Minister Obuchi urged State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Chairman Than Shwe to undertake political and economic reform, and other Japanese officials have also delivered this message to Burmese leaders. Japan continues to support the UN's efforts to promote dialogue between the SPDC and Aung San Suu Kyi's National League of Democracy, but is willing to provide technical assistance and training to the Burmese regime. In May 2000, for example, Japan initiated a bilateral economic experts dialogue with Burma's junta, the SPDC.

Cambodia: Japan helped arrange the July 26, 1998 Cambodian elections and played a positive role in efforts to broker a deal under which a genuine coalition government was formed, including representatives of Hun Sen's Cambodia Peoples Party and Prince Ranariddh's FUNCINPEC party. More recently, Japan has supported U.S. efforts on the Khmer Rouge justice issue, encouraging the Cambodian government to work with the UN to come up with a solution acceptable to the international community. In January 2000, then-Prime Minister Obuchi visited Cambodia, the first visit to the country by a Japanese leader in 43 years.

Asian Financial Crisis: The economic and human impact of the Asian financial crisis in Southeast Asia deeply concerned Japan. Japan has strong strategic interests in the region and Japanese companies have invested massively in Southeast Asian economies. In September 1998, Japan announced the "Miyazawa Plan" to provide up to $30.0 billion over several years in trade credits and other assistance to the region. In November 1998, President Clinton and then-Prime Minister Obuchi announced the Asia Growth and Recovery Initiative, a multilateral effort undertaken in conjunction with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to revitalize private sector growth in Asia.

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