
THILAWA, Myanmar -- The Thilawa Special Economic Zone might be just a 45-minute drive from downtown Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city and commercial hub, but the Japanese presence is unmissable.
Outside the site offices -- an island of prefabricated shelters surrounded by acres of upturned earth -- a row of six flags dries in the breeze after a short downpour. The yellow, green and red of Myanmar alternates with Japan's unmistakable red sun on a white background.