Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2021 June 9 - 15 [WORLD]

Japan's Lower House condemns military coup in Myanmar

The Japanese House of Representatives on June 8 adopted a resolution in its plenary session by majority vote, condemning the military coup in Myanmar and calling for an early restoration of the democratic political establishment.

The resolution strongly criticizes the coup d'etat for destroying the path toward Myanmar's democratization and denies the legitimacy of the military junta. The resolution expresses Japanese Lower House members' solidarity with Myanmar citizens who tirelessly work to regain people's rights to freedom and human rights and to restore democratic order.

The resolution demands an immediate halt to brutality against civilians by Myanmar's military and the immediate release of Aun San Suu Kyi and other people who are in detention.

Cross-party lawmakers: Japan should recognize NUG as representative of Myanmar

A multi-partisan group of Japanese parliamentarians supporting democratization of Myanmar requested on June 7 that Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognize that the pro-democracy "National Unity Government" represents Myanmar.

Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Inoue Satoshi (House of Councilors) is a member of this cross-party league.

They said that Japan should clarify its position that both the coup and any regime ruled by the Myanmar military are unacceptable. They pressed the Japanese government to make every possible effort to put a stop to violence against civilians, immediately free detained pro-democracy leaders and demonstrators, and help bring full authority back to the elected democratic system. They added that Japan should suspend its ODA programs as well as investments/loan programs benefiting the Myanmar military.

* * *

Resolution condemning Myanmar coup adopted also in Upper House

The House of Councilors also adopted a similar resolution unanimously in its plenary session on June 11.

The resolution demands that the Japanese government provide emergency assistance to ethnic minorities and internally displaced persons in Myanmar in addition to imposing a worldwide ban on arms exports to the Myanmar military.

Past related article:
> Japan’s multipartisan parliamentary group talks online with Myanmar’s civilian government [May 27, 2021]