YANGON, July 13 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese singing contest will be held in Myanmar's former capital of Yangon in October this year under the Japan-Mekong exchange program, sources with the Japanese Embassy here Monday.

    The contest will be launched at Park Royal Hotel in the city on October 17, the report said, adding that a total of 20 singers will take part in the contest.

    Under the Japan-Mekong exchange program, music concert, film festival, get-together party, and Japanese speech contest have been introduced every month since January this year.

    Other programs to be added include Karatedo contest, Ekabana flower decoration show, Japanese fashion show, Judo contest and film festivals respectively.

    In March, a music concert by a 20-member Myanmar Gitamate Music Band, involving Myanmar and Japanese artists, had taken place in Yangon under the program to showcase the cooperation and friendship between Japan and Myanmar.

    Meanwhile, the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS)-Economic Cooperation has worked out a plan for development of tourism as part of its economic cooperation in the sub-region, designating the year 2009-2010 as GMS tourism year.

    Moreover, the Mekong Tourism Coordination Office (MTCO) has invited Myanmar professional photographers to take part in a Mekong photo contest, aimed at exploring the beauty and culture of the GMS.

    The contest, which is the first of its kind under the title of "Explore Mekong", is also aimed at boosting the region's tourism sector and enhancing the world's impression over the cultural heritage of the GMS member countries.

    With closing date for intended contestants set for July 1 to Sept. 30, the winner will be awarded a special prize worth of 15,000 U.S. dollars, the MTCO said.

    The Mekong River is shared by six countries -- China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.