Japanese industry minister Toshimitsu Motegi told Myanmar President Thein Sein on Thursday that Japan will offer electric power knowhow, Japanese government officials said after their talks in the capital.

"I hope your country will use Japan's technology," Motegi was quoted as telling the president, who spoke of wanting to build a coal-fired power station that is also environmentally friendly.

The president told Motegi that not only power generation using domestically produced natural gas, but also coal-fired electricity generation is essential to the country, according to the officials.

Myanmar suffers from a serious electricity shortage, resulting in frequent blackouts and making foreign companies reluctant to invest in the Southeast Asian country.

Motegi emphasized the importance of ensuring stable electricity supply and urged Myanmar to take steps to enable power generation projects involving Japanese companies to proceed smoothly.