Myanmar is trending — mainly in business. After long military rule, democratization and opening draw Japanese firms. Labor costs are ASEAN's lowest (~$52/month vs China $462, Vietnam $152). Literacy and English from British colonial days help; ~50 million people promise a market.
But culture matters too — ethnic conflicts remain unresolved.
A mini show "Heritage for the Future: Myanmar's Forests and People" runs at Chiyoda Library (5 min from Palaceside Building) = top photo: flyer = — semi-wild working elephants in forestry, minority life from photo books Seasons with Elephants and Daido Buga (Sairusha), colorful dress, tools, toys = bottom photo = on the library site. Forest coexistence makes you think.
Through October 27 (closed Sept 23). Talk Oct 12 (Fri.) 19:00 — journalist Yoshida Toshihiro and Sophia Prof. Nemoto Kei; 25 seats, free, first come.