This project aims to provide training in international relations and security affairs to military personnel in Myanmar, which is becoming increasingly isolated from the international community, and to increase their understanding of the importance of multilateral and regional security systems and their knowledge of the current international situation.
Although this project was scheduled to begin in July 2006, most of the activities had to be postponed because the necessary approval had not been obtained from the Myanmar's political leadership. However, project preparations are still underway, and activities are scheduled to begin as soon as approval is received.
This year, under the self-operated component of this project, Nobumasa Akiyama of the Japan Institute of International Affairs and others were invited to give presentations during a series of seminars on Japanese politics, economics, and culture that were held for staff members of the Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in Japan.
Next year, the project plans to hold a two week training workshop in Yangon for about 50 military personnel from Myanmar, which will include lectures on international relations and security affairs. Ten to 15 workshop participants will be selected to travel to Singapore to engage in site visits and discussions with experts, and another 10 to 15 will go to Japan to tour Self Defense Forces bases and to exchange views with experts from the National Institute for Defense Studies.