In an interview with Nikkei Asia published on Friday, Japan’s foreign minister (FM) Toshimitsu Motegi said that Tokyo could freeze all aid to Myanmar, including for existing projects, as the military junta continues to use lethal force against civilians protesting the coup. Although Japan, which is among Myanmar’s top donors, has already suspended new aid to the country since the Tatmadaw’s ousting of the civilian-led government on February 1, Motegi has warned that the freeze could be expanded.
“We don’t want to do that at all, but we have to state firmly that it will be difficult to continue under these circumstances… As a country that supported Myanmar’s democratisation in various ways, and as a friend, we must represent the international community and convey that clearly,” Motegi said.
Japan gave $1.74 billion in development aid to Myanmar in FY 2019, which is more than any other country with publicly disclosed figures. In previous years, this aid has been dedicated to developing in maintaining infrastructure related to water supply, electricity, railroad, agriculture, and rural development. While China also donates to the Southeast Asian nation, its official figures have not been released.
Although Japan has criticised the Myanmar putsch and called for the restoration of democracy, it has faced national and international pressure to take a stronger position on the crisis. In February, rights groups like Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Justice for Myanmar, in a joint letter to Motegi, urged Japan to join its allies (like the United States and the European Union) and impose targetted economic sanctions on Burmese military officials and entities to push them to reverse the coup. While Tokyo has not introduced similar punitive measures just yet, Motegi mentioned on Friday that Japan was continuing to hold dialogue with the junta, as it has “a greater variety of channels in Myanmar, including with the military, than Europe and the US.” Moreover, Japan’s strict anti-money laundering or anti-corruption laws may have already become applicable “to persons or entities” who have been sanctioned by other foreign governments.
Relations between the two countries have also witnessed friction recently as Japanese freelance journalist Yuki Kitazumi was detained in Naypyitaw for spreading “fake news” and allegedly not complying with visa regulations. The reporter was released last week following protests by Tokyo. Upon being freed, the journalist urged Tokyo to take “concrete action” against Myanmar. “I’d like Japan to use the strength it used to free me to resolve the problem in Myanmar,” he said.
Japan Warns It Could Pause Financial Aid To Myanmar
Japanese FM Toshimitsu Motegi said in an interview on Friday that Tokyo could consider freezing financial aid to Myanmar as violence in the country continues to escalate.
May 21, 2021
SOURCE: JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY / VIA KYODO