Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Nov. 6 committed to provide over 500 billion yen (5.5 billion USD) in official development assistance (ODA) to five Mekong countries in Southeast Asia over the next three years.

The commitment was made at the first Mekong-Japan Summit that opened in Tokyo the same day.

PM Hatoyama pledged to boost Japan's support for the Mekong countries to help the region's stability and development.

''The new government of Japan intends to proactively contribute more than ever to stability and development in the Mekong region through our strengthened assistance,'' Hatoyama was quoted by Kyodo news as saying.

''Japan will steadily play its role as a bridge for common prosperity in the future,'' he added in his opening remark.

The leaders of the Mekong countries thanked Japan for its commitment to the region's development, saying that greater cooperation between the countries would contribute to the successful establishment of an ASEAN Economic Community, which is planned to be set up by 2015.

Also, Japan will step up efforts to help build basic infrastructure in the region, such as transport networks linking production bases and industrial areas scattered around the region.

Participants at the meeting are expected to issue a joint declaration covering a range of topics on Nov. 7./.