Japan Press Weekly

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2022 February 2 - 8 [WORLD]

Japan's ODA serves as financial resource for repression against Burmese citizens

A cross-party parliamentarians' league supporting a democratization of Myanmar on February 1 held a study meeting in the Diet building on Japan's ODA projects in Myanmar and listened to the opinions of government officials, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and NGO representatives.

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Inoue Satoshi said, "In military-controlled Myanmar at present, Japan's ODA projects assume a role contrary to their original purpose. Japan should review both the ongoing and proposed ODA projects in Myanmar."

Kiguchi Yuka, director of the NGO Mekong Watch, pointed out that a Japan-funded gas field project is not for Myanmar citizens. It is exported to Thailand to earn foreign currency which benefits the Myanmar military, and the money is used for repression against the people of Myanmar.

Nakayama Fumihiro of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy said, "We are concerned about the human rights situation in Myanmar and the agency will deal appropriately with the matter as a shareholder."

Oe Toru of the Finance Ministry said, "An early settlement of the situation is desirable," adding that the ministry had already informed Myanmar of a possible reconsideration of Japan's ODA projects in some circumstances.

The cross-party politicians learned that large corporations in France and Australia had withdrawn from military-backed businesses in Myanmar. NGO representatives who were present at the study meeting criticized the Japanese government for not pulling out of its ODA projects in Myanmar.

Past related article:
> Year after coup, let us strengthen solidarity with Burmese people! [January 31, 2021]