Statement by the Press Secretary/ Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the General Elections in Myanmar

November 7, 2010
Japanese

On November 7th, the Union of Myanmar held its general elections for the first time in 20 years since 1990. The Government of Japan has repeatedly urged the Government of Myanmar to hold free, fair and open elections, including in the recent Japan-Mekong Summit and Japan-Myanmar Foreign Ministers meeting. From this perspective, the Government of Japan has called for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as holding a substantial dialogue with NLD (National League for Democracy) and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We are deeply disappointed that such expectation was not fulfilled up to the elections in spite of these efforts.
The Government of Japan calls on the Government of Myanmar to ensure that these elections mark the start of a more inclusive phase by implementing measures such as a release of political detainees. Japan also expects that the Government of Myanmar hold substantial dialogue with relevant parties in order to realize transition to a civilian and accountable system of government, based on the rule of law; to the respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms; to the participation of all strata of society in the economic and social development of the country. Expecting such process to be realized, Japan will carefully observe the result of the elections as well as the development after the elections.

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