Photo/Illutration The central portion of Yangon, Mynamar’s most populous city, has been developed by Japanese-affiliated businesses. The photo was taken in 2018. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

As a nation with strong ties to Myanmar, Japan is expressing "grave concern" over the military coup and pressing for the release of the country's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other senior government officials.

“Japan once again strongly urges the Myanmar military to swiftly restore Myanmar's democratic political system,” Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said in a statement released on Feb. 1.

Japan has strongly supported the country’s democratization through economic assistance to Myanmar and dialogue with its military. The Japanese government has provided aid to Myanmar through yen loans totaling nearly 100 billion yen ($961 million).

While trying to keep in lockstep with Washington on the response to the crisis in Myanmar, Tokyo is poised to push for a democratic solution through its historically friendly relationship.

“Japan is the only country (in the Western bloc) that can engage in dialogue with the military,” said a senior official with the Japanese government.

But Japan could be forced to walk a diplomatic tightrope if the United States decides to slap fresh sanctions on Myanmar.

In 2019, Tokyo abstained from a vote by the U.N. Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution condemning the gross violations of human rights and abuses of the Rohingya Muslims, which differed from the stance taken by the United States and European countries.

The Myanmar coup could be the first touchstone issue for Japan as it seeks to build a close relationship with the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, in championing democracy and human rights.

The military’s action in reasserting its grip on Myanmar is shaking the confidence of Japanese businesses who have established a foothold in the Southeast Asian nation.

The number of Japanese businesses that made inroads into Myanmar jumped to 433 in December 2020 from 53 as of the end of fiscal 2011, according to the government-affiliated Japan External Trade Organization.

Leading trade houses, such as Sumitomo Corp., Mitsubishi Corp. and Marubeni Corp., have set up shop in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone on the outskirts of Yangon, the nation’s largest city.

Toyota Motor Corp. is expected to open its first automotive assembly plant in Myanmar, in the special economic zone, this month.

The automaker said it is gathering information on the situation there.

KDDI Corp., which provides a mobile phone service through a joint venture with a local partner, instructed its employees to stay home until further notice.

As for the fate of its 20 Japanese staffers, KDDI said it is considering having them return to Japan as their safety is a top priority. 

Unicharm Corp., a maker of health care products, said it plans to suspend operations of a factory that manufactures diapers and other products.

The Japanese Embassy is calling on Japanese nationals not to go out for nonessential reasons, the Foreign Ministry said.

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