The lower house’s Committee for the Promotion of Education said technical training may be provided for Burmese citizens with Japan’s assistance.

The committee’s chairman Tin Aung was part of a team of 15 lower house MPs who visited Japan last week at the invitation of their Japanese counterparts to take part in a study tour focusing on labour empowerment and transportation development.

The team — consisting of five MPs each from the parliamentary committees for education promotion, international relations, and transportation and construction — arrived in Japan on 9 May for a six-day visit. During the trip, they visited the Japanese ministries of foreign affairs and construction and transportation, and also met with representatives of business associations.

“One of the main purposes of this visit is to study how things work here, with a vision to reopening the Aung San Institute of Professional Skills in Insein. Our focus is on Japan’s professional skills education system and car factories. The Japanese politicians said they will provide us assistance,” said Tin Aung.

Mi Kon Chan, a member of the lower house’s International Relations Committee, said the Japanese people’s sense of discipline and professional responsibility is admirable and something that Burmese people should learn from. She added that she planned to share her experience with members of the public members when she returns to Burma.

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Tin Maung Win, leader of the tour, said the team will brief the lower house on its findings and experiences in the near future.

Since Burma’s transition to quasi-civilian rule in 2011, Japan has stepped up its efforts to provide various forms of assistance to the country. Last year, it agreed to provide a loan of US$ 212 million, mainly for the development of the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, near Rangoon.

Japan has also shown an interest in the Dawei Special Economic Zone in Tenasserim Division.