Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2005
Next PageMain Text > Part II ODA DISBURSEMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2004 > Chapter 2 Details and New Policies about Japan's ODA: Striving for Further ODA Reforms > Section 4. Operational Status of the Principle of ODA Implementation > 3. Myanmar
3. Myanmar
Japan's economic cooperation to Myanmar has been suspended in principle since the military regime came to power in 1988. But in 1995, reflecting improvements in the situation such as the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of the National League for Democracy ( NLD ) from house arrest, the Government of Japan decided to consider the implementation of the projects for which Japan provided assistance in the past and the projects to address the basic human needs (BHN), which would directly benefit the people of Myanmar. The assistance will be implemented on a case-by-case basis while also monitoring democratization and the improvement of human rights.
In May 2003, however, the authorities placed Daw Suu Kyi and some people related to NLD in protective custody, and Daw Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest for the third time. Since this incident, Japan has been concerned about the situation and has called on the Government of Myanmar to promptly advance the national reconciliation and democratization process involving all related persons, including Daw Suu Kyi.
Regarding economic cooperation, basically no new projects are being implemented in light of the situation in Myanmar after May 2003. However, given the worsening living environment in the country, highly urgent humanitarian projects are being implemented sequentially after careful, individual consideration, while prudently monitoring the political situation in Myanmar.
Japan believes that the process of democratization in Myanmar should not be delayed under any circumstances, and thus continues to call strongly on the Government of Myanmar to make moves towards that end.