The year of 2009 was designated as the ‘Mekong-Japan Exchange Year’, by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/mekong/join.html

The ASEAN+3 University Consortium program of Kansai Gaidai was endorsed as one of the activities of Japanese organizations involving the creation of new relations between Japan and Mekong region countries. With the hosting of important events by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is strongly realized that not only Kansai Gaidai, but also Japan as a country is highly interested in building a strong relationship with ASEAN countries.