Source: PanOrient News                                  Date: 28 July, 2010

To the extent that Mongolia receives any attention in contemporary Japan, it is usually in the context of the minor scandals of former Yokozuna Asashoryu and the splendid recent performances of Yokozuna Hakuho. It would be a mistake, however, to leave it at that, because Japan-Mongolia relations do seem to be picking up some momentum in recent months.

Last week, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met in Hanoi with his Mongolian counterpart Gombojav Zandanshatar on the sidelines of meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and discussed bilateral political and economic relations. Mr. Okada showed interest in the possibility of Japanese firms taking part in natural resource development projects in Mongolia while Mr. Zandanshatar reassured him that the people of his country consider Japan to be their "third neighbor" and that a comprehensive bilateral partnership was most desirable.

The two ministers agreed that Japan should invest more in Mongolian natural resources, such as the coal fields at Tavan Tolgoi as well as uranium mining. In exchange, Mongolia wants to get its hands on Japan's more advanced technology.

Last December, Japan and Mongolia initiated the first steps toward a negotiation of a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The first public-private talks on this initiative were held last month in Ulaanbaatar. The two Ministers confirmed their mutual interest in advancing these talks when they met. Arrangements are currently under way to have President Ts. Elbegdorj visit Japan before the end of this year.