Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya has urged Myanmar to restore democracy, after the Southeast Asian country lifted the state of emergency imposed when its military staged a coup in 2021.
Japan strongly urges Myanmar¡¯s military to ¡°swiftly restore the country¡¯s democratic political system,¡± Iwaya told a news conference Friday.
According to Myanmar¡¯s Constitution, a general election is to be held within six months after a state of emergency is lifted.
¡°Japan is seriously concerned that if general elections are held without any moves toward political progress, it could provoke a strong backlash from the people of Myanmar,¡± he said.
Iwaya called for an immediate halt to violence and the release of political detainees, including democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
¡°Japan strongly hopes that a ceasefire throughout Myanmar and its credible implementation will be achieved and that all parties will make sincere efforts toward a peaceful resolution,¡± he added.
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