Welcome to Mekong Watch

Mekong Watch is a Japanese NGO based in Tokyo. We combine research and advocacy to address and prevent the negative environmental and social impacts of development in the Mekong Region. We are especially concerned about the lack of consultation with affected communities in development planning and implementation and the role Japanese financing. By contacting communities directly, we try to bridge the information and communication gaps between them and decision-makers in Japan.

Webinar Series: Listening to Voices from Myanmar

Session 1: What Can ASEAN and Japan do for Democracy in Myanmar?
Date: Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Time: 19:00-20:30 JST
Details and Registration

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https://www.youtube.com/embed/ohdz2FCr3Tk (3min short clip with English subtitles)
#NoMoreBusinessWithTheMyanmarJunta
Japan must responsibly disengage from the Yetagun gas project in Myanmar!

What's New!

• 【Joint Statement】Statement calling on the Japanese government to stop ODA and publicly-funded projects benefiting the Myanmar military (December 1, 2023)
  
• 【Letter of Request】Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) should forgo support of the Block B Gas Field Development Project in Vietnam (October 2, 2023)
  
• 【Joint Statement】Tokio Marine sets Intermediate Decarbonization Target in an Ambition and Impact Lacking Move (October 2, 2023)
  
• 【Joint Statement】Three major Japanese non-life insurers left NZIA and failed to disclose the intermediate targets by deadline --NGOs urge insurers to set intermediate targets for emissions of the underwriting portfolio immediately! (August 1, 2023)
  
• 【Open Letter】United States Sanctions Myanmar Junta's Ministry of Defence - Japanese Government Should Immediately and Completely Withdraw from the Y Complex Project (July 25, 2023)
  
• 【Press Release / Joint Statement】Lao dam disaster: NGOs decry lack of effective remedy for survivors five years on (July 24, 2023)
  
• 【Open Letter】To Mr. Obama, Re: Arrest of Obama Foundation Scholar in Vietnam (June 20, 2023)
  
• 【Open Letter】Japan’s leadership urgently needed at the UN Security Council to stop Myanmar military’s atrocity crimes as Myanmar faces man-made and natural disasters (May 29, 2023)
  
• 【Press Release】Serious questions over the withdrawal of ENEOS Holdings and other entities from the Yetagun gas project (April 17, 2023)
  
• 【Open Letter】 'No room for fossil fuels in climate-vulnerable developing countries': G7 nations must reject the rollout of false energy transition technologies (April 14, 2023)
  
• 【Letter of Request】 Cirebon Coal-Fired Power Plant Project - Expansion Plan in Indonesia: Request for Immediate Suspension of the Loan Disbursement and Responsible Action to Halt the Project (March 28, 2023)
  
• 【Collective Statement】 Re: ADB's Draft Guidance Note on Large Hydropower - Collective Civil Society Response (March 14, 2023)
  
• 【Press Release】 Japan's "Zero Emissions" strategy is a Greenwashing 140 Civil society groups from 18 countries sent an open letter to G7 chair demanding support on swift, just and equitable transition from fossil fuels and not on "false solutions" (March 2, 2023)
  
• 【Open Letter】 Japan's "Zero Emissions" strategy is a fallacy - Japan must support just and equitable transition from fossil fuels not "false solutions" (March 2, 2023)
  
• 【Civil Society Joint Position】 Oil and Gas Restrictions under the OECD Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits (February 27, 2023)
  
• 【Letter of Request】 A Request to Engage with MS&AD to stop underwriting Fossil Fuel Projects (January 18, 2023)
  
• 【Press Release】 Response from ten institutional shareholders of three Japanese banks that continue investment in military-linked projects in Myanmar Bank shareholders are responsible for stopping the flow of funds to the Myanmar military (January 6, 2023)
  
• 【Letter of Request】 Statement Calling for the Japanese Government to Stop ODA to Myanmar (December 5, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 56 groups from 29 countries opposed to Japan's promotion of False Solution Japanese Government should commit to ending fossil fuel finance at COP27 (November 1, 2022)
  
• 【Letter of Request】 We urge the Japanese Government to Stop Promoting "False Solutions" and Commit to Ending Fossil Fuel Finance at COP27 (November 1, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 Further engagement by institutional investors requested Mitsui & Co.'s new gas development and introduction of ammonia co-firing at coal fired power plants do not align with 1.5 degrees target (October 17, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 Letter Sent to 160 Institutions to Urge Engagement with Three Japanese Banks Regarding Junta-linked Projects in Myanmar Continued Investment May Finance Human Rights Violations by the Myanmar Military (October 11, 2022)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 The Japanese Government's "GX Strategy" is soaked in fossil fuels Japan should provide real solutions for decarbonization, but not false solutions like hydrogen and ammonia co-firing and LNG (September 21, 2022)
  
• 【Letter of Request】 A request for engagement with Mitsui & Co. regarding its new fossil gas projects and ammonia co-firing
  List of letter recipients (August 30, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 Response from Eight Major Shareholders Regarding Y Complex Project in Myanmar More Action Required of Investors to Prevent Complicity in Human Rights Violations (August 29, 2022)
  
• 【Statement of Protest and Request】 Statement of Protest and Request Regarding a Visit to Myanmar by a Cabinet Secretariat Councillor (July 1, 2022)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 Victory for local people and civil society! Japanese government announced to halt its supports for Matarbari 2 and Indramayu coal plants - Conversion to the false solutions, such as ammonia co-firing and gas-fired power, should be avoided - (June 23, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 Letter sent to 101 Investors to Urge Engagement with Tokyo Tatemono and Daiwa House Industry Regarding the Y Complex Project in Myanmar; Land Lease Payments May Finance Human Rights Violations by the Myanmar Military (May 26, 2022)
  
• 【Letter of Request】 Call for Engagement with Companies Involved in the Y Complex Project in Myanmar (May 24, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 Mizuho's Revised Climate Policy Prohibits Business with New Coal Clients but Still Not Consistent with Paris 1.5ｰC Target (May 18, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 NGOs cautiously welcome ENEOS' withdrawal from Myanmar; call for responsible disengagement and decommissioning of Yetagun gas project (May 4, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 13 Institutional Investors Respond to Call for Engagement -Concern Expressed Over Japanese Companies Continuing Business in Myanmar (April 20, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 ESG-labeled funds found to hold shares in corporations linked to the Myanmar military Japanese companies exposed in report by rights groups (April 12, 2022)
  
• 【Press Release】 MUFG announced its revised climate policy and 2030 target for power and oil and gas sector Still inconsistent with 1.5ｰC (April 1, 2022)