The Japanese Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr. Kyoji Komachi and nine delegates paid a special visit to Mekong Institute (MI) on January 21, 2009. The Ambassador arrived after a visit to neighboring Khon Kaen University, accompanied by nine officials and staff from the Japanese Embassy and Representative Offices of Japan higher education institutions, including the first secretary, overseas student advisor, representatives from Osaka University Bangkok Centre for Education and Research and Waseda University, and the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). The Japanese Ambassador said that he appreciated the warm reception by MI and commented that MI human resource development programs are in line with the GMS emerging issues. The Ambassador expressed his interests in cooperating with MI and MI Coordinating Agencies in the six GMS Countries to carryout action research, learning program and policy dialogue on transnational and transboundary issues like migration, counter human trafficking and sustainable environmental planning.