Elizabeth Shaw
Thousands of Burmese protested in Tokyo, asking Japan and its allies to take a tougher stance with the Myanmar military coup.
Protesters carrying photos of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi gathered today in front of Japan's Foreign Ministry headquarters in Tokyo, where major political protests are rare.
The protest calls for Tokyo to be tough on the Myanmar military government Photo: Reuters
"Freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi, freedom for Myanmar", the crowd chanted the slogans as their representatives gave the Japanese Foreign Ministry officials a declaration calling for Tokyo to use all "major strength.
Japan and Myanmar have had a close relationship for a long time, as Tokyo is a major donor to this Southeast Asian country.
The Myanmar army on February 1 arrested State Counselor Aung San Suu Ky and other leaders of the National Coalition for Democracy (NLD) party, declaring the establishment of a military government because the civilian government could not protest.
The Union Citizens of Myanmar, a group that organizes protests in Tokyo, says Japan should not recognize the new military regime.
Mathida, 50, who works in a restaurant in Tokyo, said she joined the protest to push Japanese officials to take more action in restoring Myanmar's democracy.
"We want Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader and mother of our country, to be free," she said.
During a press conference on Feb. 2, when asked whether Japan would support or express a US-like stance on the coup, including the possibility of punishing Myanmar, a government spokesman reiterated the statement.
A top Japanese defense official said Tokyo needs to be cautious in its approach to Myanmar because the severing of ties risks pushing Myanmar closer to China.
The United States, Australia and the United Nations issued a strong warning message asking the Myanmar military to release Ms. Suu Kyi and government officials, as well as respecting the will of the people, settling differences through peaceful dialogue.
China, a permanent Security Council veto member, did not condemn the February 1 coup in Myanmar, saying that the matter should be resolved internally.
