Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa expressed “serious concern about the further extension of the state of emergency by the current Myanmar regime, without taking positive steps towards achieving political progress such as the release of all detainees, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,”the leader of Myanmar’s democracy movement.

In a statement on the second anniversary of the military takeover in Myanmar, Hayashi left no doubt about how Japan views the situation there.

“I once again strongly condemn the situation in Myanmar where the use of violence is causing a large number of casualties, despite repeated calls for restraint by the international community, including Japan,” he said. Japan, he added, wanted all involved to refrain from violence and find a peaceful solution in order to restore peace and stability in Myanmar.

He continued: “Since the coup d’état, Japan has consistently urged the Myanmar military to take concrete actions to (1) immediately stop the violence, (2) release those who are detained, and (3) swiftly restore Myanmar’s democratic political system, and has provided maximum support for the efforts of ASEAN to improve the situation.”

Hayashi urged those in power in Myanmar to work towards a resolution of the situation that is acceptable to the people of Myanmar and the international community, noting that “humanitarian assistance for the people of Myanmar remains an urgent priority.”

Japan, he said, will continue to provide concrete humanitarian assistance to those in need in Myanmar and constantly explore how best to implement such assistance.