"I hope friendship between Myanmar (Burma) and Japan can be promoted through this event," Japanese Ambassador Yasuaki Nogawa said. The Tokyo government sponsored the event as part of the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009.

"It is a very good opportunity for sharing culture between two countries," Koshino said. Her collection was shown off by 17 Burmese models and four Japanese models.

In attendance were the members of the Japanese community in Rangoon, government elites and other invited guests.

"It is a new step for the history of Myanmar-Japan friendship," a statement from the Japanese embassy in Rangoon said.