Myanmar and Japan will cooperate in a wide range of health issues, primarily focusing on combating tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Myanmar President U Thein Sein and visiting member of the Japanese House of Representatives and President of the Japan-Myanmar Parliamentarian Friendship League Ichiro Aisawa in Nay Pyi Taw on September 6.

The two sides also discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, Japan ’s assistance for the 27th Southeast Asian Games to be hosted by Myanmar at the end of this year, as well as issues related to Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

In June, the Japan International Cooperation Agency agreed to provide a loan of over 51 billion JPY (roughly 5.1 billion USD) as official development assistance for Myanmar.

Of the amount, 17 billion JPY (1.7 billion USD) is for infrastructure construction to reduce poverty in the Southeast Asian nation, while 20 billion JPY (2 billion USD) will be used to develop Thilawa SEZ, and the remaining for upgrading the power grid project and power stations in Yangon.

According to official statistics, Japan 's investment has surpassed 270 million USD in Myanmar since the country opened its doors to foreign investment in late 1988.

Japan now stands in 11th place in Myanmar 's foreign investment line-up.-VNA