Photo/Illutration In this image from Myawaddy TV, a photograph of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s court appearance was shown while a report about her case is read by a news presenter on May 24, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. (AP Photo)

Human rights groups on Thursday called for Japan to cancel a real estate project involving Myanmar’s defense ministry, saying the project is linked to the military, which has waged a deadly crackdown since the February 1 coup.

Japan’s private firms and a state entity are engaged in a multi-million-dollar hotel and office development on land owned by Myanmar’s defense ministry, Reuters reported earlier.

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, said Japan failed to assess the risk associated with doing business in Myanmar.

"We strongly condemn the fact that Japan’s public funds likely ended up in the hands of the Tatmadaw," said Yuka Kiguchi, Executive Director of Mekong Watch, referring to Myanmar’s armed forces.

Through rent payments, the Y Complex project benefits Myanmar’s defense ministry, which is controlled by the military under the country’s constitution, the groups say.

Japanese company and government officials have said they thought the rent, which was paid by an intermediary, was ultimately going to Myanmar’s government, not the military.

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