Press Releases
The Situation in Myanmar Two Years after the Coup d’État
(Statement by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa)
February 1, 2023
- As today marks two years after the coup d’état in Myanmar on February 1, 2021, I express serious concern about the further extension of the state of emergency by the current Myanmar “regime,” without taking positive steps towards achieving political progress such as the release of all detainees, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
- I once again strongly condemn the situation in Myanmar where the use of violence is causing a large number of casualties, despite repeated calls for restraint by the international community, including Japan. Japan urges all stakeholders to make efforts to refrain from violence and find a peaceful solution, in order to restore peace and stability in Myanmar.
- Since the coup d’état, Japan has consistently urged the Myanmar military to take concrete actions to (1) immediately stop the violence, (2) release those who are detained, and (3) swiftly restore Myanmar’s democratic political system, and has provided maximum support for the efforts of ASEAN to improve the situation. Japan will continue to closely monitor the situation in Myanmar and once again strongly urges the Myanmar side to faithfully work towards a peaceful resolution of the situation that is acceptable to the people of Myanmar and the international community, by taking concrete actions on the aforementioned three points and swiftly implementing ASEAN’s “Five-Point Consensus.”
- In addition, humanitarian assistance for the people of Myanmar remains an urgent priority. In order to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need, Japan will continue to actively provide concrete humanitarian assistance and constantly explore how best to implement such assistance, while urging the Myanmar side to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access.