Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi has expressed serious concerns about the current situation in Myanmar. He stated that even after four and a half years since the military coup, the country’s conditions have not improved but rather deteriorated, with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners remaining in detention while airstrikes and violence continue. The minister expressed particular concern about the ongoing military actions and human rights violations throughout the country.
The military council announced on July 31 the lifting of the state of emergency and plans to hold general elections between December 2025 and January 2026. However, the Japanese Foreign Minister warned that without the release of political prisoners and genuine political dialogue, any attempt to hold elections would face strong opposition from the public and make it more difficult to peacefully resolve political issues. He emphasized that conducting elections in the current circumstances, without significant political progress, would only lead to further complications in Myanmar’s path to democracy.
Japan has called on the Myanmar military to immediately cease all violence, release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, and return to democratic governance. Furthermore, the minister stated that Japan would continue to support the implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus for nationwide ceasefire and peace, while also providing humanitarian assistance. He committed to listening to the voices of Myanmar’s people and continuing discussions with all relevant stakeholders. Japan also expressed its commitment to actively providing humanitarian aid and support to Myanmar’s people who are suffering from both the aftermath of the March earthquake and the prolonged conflict, while maintaining its position of supporting peaceful resolution to the country’s political crisis.
