ASIA TIME
By TEPPEI KASAI
MARCH 15, 2021
Tokyo's passive diplomacy will only embolden the Tatmadaw, which continues to commit grave abuses with impunity.
Myanmar people living in Japan and others protest near Shibuya Station in Tokyo on February 28, 2021. Protesters demanded the release of the nation's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and others. Photo: Taketo Oishi / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP
Since the Myanmar military seized power on February 1, the Japanese government has
expressed its “grave concerns” over the
coup. It has called on the Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw, to “swiftly restore Myanmar’s democratic political system,” and demanded the release of National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and all others arbitrarily detained.
Japan also expressed
condolences for protesters killed by security forces, while “strongly”
condemning the “violence against civilians.”
Such statements are important, but when compared with the concrete actions taken by other Group of Seven democracies, it’s clear that Japan is not yet using its full weight to pressure the Myanmar military. It has in effect taken a “wait and see” approach.