Welcome to Mekong Watch

Mekong Watch is a Japanese NGO based in Tokyo. We combine research and advocacy to address and prevent 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 of Japanese financing. By contacting communities directly, we try to bridge the information and communication gaps between them and decision-makers in Japan.

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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!

• 【Press Release】 Thai version now available - video on methane emissions from LNG lifecycle(July 30, 2025)
  
• 【Press Release】 Three Japanese investors have cut ties with Shwe Than Lwin - Japanese public-private funds and JIB must be transparent and responsible in their exit from Myanmar media project tied to military crony network(July 8, 2025)
  
• 【Press Release】 Criticism was raised at the ENEOS annual general meeting over its huge net-zero target year postponement - Environmental NGOs urged ENEOS to stop the Papua LNG project -(June 30, 2025)
  
• 【Press Release】 18 global insurers and 10 banks have excluded the Alaska LNG from their support - Environmental NGOs urged Tokio Marine to comply its policy at the annual general meeting -(June 23, 2025)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 JICA must stop the loan disbursement now and ascertain the corruption in Bangladesh's coal project - Bangladesh agency's senior official indicted due to a massive embezzlement in Japan's ODA Project(May 15, 2025)
  
• 【Press Release】 Japanese companies, government insurer and investment corporation urged to responsibly exit from Myanmar port project linked to sanctioned military conglomerate(May 14, 2025)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 Unfeasible; the promotion of the Alaska LNG development agreed at the Japan-US Summit, three major Japanese non-life insurers have already excluded Arctic gas drilling from their insurance underwriting(February 20, 2025)
  
• 【Opinion】 End Japan's loans to Myanmar's tatmadaw(Posted on the Bangkok Post, November 26, 2024)
  
• 【Press Release】 Institutional investors conduct climate change engagement with SOMPO after being encouraged by environmental NGOs(October 28, 2024)
  
• 【Letter of Request】 Dear Bondholders of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Request to engage with JBIC to stop financing new fossil fuel projects(September 30, 2024)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 Local company official and others arrested for corruption in ODA coal-fired power project in Bangladesh -JICA should immediately investigate the situation and suspend the loan-(September 5, 2024)
  
• 【Letter of Request】 Request to engage with SOMPO to stop underwriting new fossil fuel projects(August 28, 2024)
  
• 【Press Release】 Myanmar pearl company TASAKI and investors risk complicity in Myanmar military junta's international crimes - TASAKI must responsibly end all business with the sanctioned entity Myanmar Pearl Enterprise(July 10, 2024)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 Violation of G7 Agreement! We Condemn JBIC's Lending Decision to Provide Support for Vietnam's Block B-O Mon Project (Upstream and Midstream)(July 9, 2024)
  
• 【Inqiry】 Inquiry regarding TASAKI's business partnership with sanctioned entity Myanmar Pearls Enterprise(June 11, 2024)
  
• 【Inqiry】 Inquiry regarding human rights due diligence in relation to TASAKI's business partnership with sanctioned entity Myanmar Pearls Enterprise(June 11, 2024)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 NGOs strongly condemn decision by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to finance Woodside Energy, the Australian gas extraction giant - Over USD 28 billion has been financed for fossil fuel projects since the G7 Elmau Commitment - (June 4, 2024)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 Prime Minister Kishida should cooperate with the US and the Philippines for true decarbonization (April 9, 2024)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 For Vietnam's Block B-O Mon Project, We Demand Retraction of FID by Mitsui & Co. and JOGMEC's FID and Loan Guarantee Decision (April 8, 2024)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 NGOs Strongly Condemn Decision by Japan Bank for International Cooperation(JBIC) and Citibank to finance two gas-fired power projects in Mexico (March 29, 2024)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 NGOs urge Japanese financial institutions to stop developing/supporting the Scarborough gas field in Australia (March 28, 2024)
  
• 【Joint Statement】 JBIC financing for two gas power projects in Mexico would violate the G7 agreement - JBIC, NEXI and private banks should stop consideration immediately - (January 25, 2024)