THE Japanese government has provided Myanmar with grant aid totalling ¥532 million (about US$4.636 million) for human resource development scholarships.

The Japanese ambassador, Mr Yuji Miyamoto, and the Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, U Soe Tha, signed an exchange of notes for the grant aid at the ministry on June 10.

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A media release issued by the Japanese embassy said it was the fourth such grant for the project, which allows Myanmar to further their education in Japan.

One of the notes, for ¥172 million (about $1.563 million), is for 20 scholars who are studying in Japan and for another 20 who are preparing to begin studies there this fiscal year.

The other note, for ¥360 million (about $3.272 million) is for 20 scholars who will be selected for scholarships this year.

“The Japanese government hopes that these scholars will serve Myanmar with their acquired knowledge, thus contributing to the further development of Myanmar,” the release said.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government has provided a total of $189,711 under its grassroots grant aid scheme to improve facilities at three primary schools.

The biggest of the grants, for $74,013, will finance a two-storey brick building containing 10 classrooms at the Oak Su Primary School in Yangon’s Thanlyin township.

The Mingalardon No. 8 Primary School in Yangon’s Mingalardon township received $71,032 to construct a nine-classroom building and the Lay Ein Su Village Primary School in Maubin township, Ayeyarwaddy Division, was granted $44,666 to build a single-storey reinforced concrete building containing six classrooms.

The grants will also fund the purchase of school furniture and improvements to sanitation and water supply facilities at the schools.

A media statement issued by the embassy said the grant contracts were signed on June 8 with the chairpersons of construction committees at the three schools.

Japan has also provided $81,017 under the grassroots grant aid scheme to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency Myanmar for a food relief program at villages in Parsingyaw and Nam Tit townships in the Kokang and Wa special regions.

An embassy statement released on June 16 said the fund will assist ADRA Myanmar’s food aid program in the villages. The food for the program is being provided by the Japanese government through the United Nations World Food Program.

The program focuses on village rehabilitation activities through food-for-work projects, including building small-scale infrastructure facilities, providing water and sanitation facilities and improving farming techniques in 100 villages in the two regions.

The statement said the grant will cover materials for the food-for-work projects as well as personnel costs for a project coordinator and technicians hired for water, sanitation and agricultural activities.