Prof. Nishimura held several important meetings with Myanmar Government Ministers on 25 June in Myanmar's capital city of Nay Pyi Taw.

In a meeting with H.E. Dr. Kan Zaw, Union Minister of National Planning and Economic Development, Prof. Nishimura explained ERIA's proposed direction for the Dawei Special Economic Zone development project, which would take a non-conventional approach that could 'leapfrog' development by becoming an integrated and advanced agro-city for residents while providing job opportunities to people.

The Minister requested ERIA's support for the Special Development Plan framed by Myanmar's Land Use Management Committee. Prof. Nishimura welcomed the request and offered ERIA's support through its capacity building programs.

In a meeting with H.E. Daw Myat Myat Ohn Khin, Union Minister of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Prof. Nishimura gave a briefing on ERIA's contributions to disaster management in ASEAN and East Asia. The Minister introduced his ministry's disaster management activities and said that a disaster management training center will open in Myanmar in September.

It was agreed that ERIA and the Ministry would co-organize the ASEAN-Japan Symposium on Disaster Management 2015 - Building National Resilience in ASEAN Countries - in Myanmar.

Prof. Nishimura also met with H.E. U Han Sein, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport, and Dr. Nanda Hmun, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture who was in charge of SOCA (Senior Officials meeting for ASCC) Chair last year.