Friday, April 19, 2013 | Posted by hnm
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Aung
San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar's largest opposition party, the National
League for Democracy (NLD), has visited Japan at the invitation of the
government and had successive meetings with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and others.
This is her first
visit in 27 years. She was a guest researcher at Kyoto University in the
mid-1980s before getting involved in the democracy movement in her home
country.
Suu Kyi confronted the junta and was placed under house
arrest for a total of about 15 years. Her Japan visit symbolizes
Myanmar's democratization, which has been promoted by the administration
of President Thein Sein since the country changed to civilian rule two
years ago.
The Japanese government has welcomed the Thein Sein
administration's reform efforts and has been proactively supporting the
country through such actions as restarting official development
assistance projects, including yen loans, ahead of the United States or
European countries.
NLD and democratization
The government
is trying to strengthen its relationship with the NLD on the thinking
that growth of a sound opposition party in the national assembly could
lead to further democratization of the country and stability of society.
It is also thought that the NLD is likely to further gain strength in a
general election to be held in 2015.
Abe told Suu Kyi during
their talks, "We'd like to support your country so that reform can
progress further." He then explained to her the government's policy of
supporting Myanmar's nation building through ODA and private investment.
Suu Kyi responded that she hopes Japan will cooperate with Myanmar in
the country's development. She asked for Japan's assistance for her
country in vocational and agricultural education, among other fields.
Concrete achievements
Since she was elected in the House of Representatives, the lower house
of the Assembly of the Union, in spring last year, she has been trying
to transform from a pro-democracy leader outside the government into a
pragmatic politician. To respond to supporters' expectations, she needs
concrete achievements such as an improvement in the country's standard
of living.
There
is a rough road ahead for Myanmar's nation building. As Suu Kyi
insists, the Constitution must be revised for further democratization,
including the abolishment of guaranteed seats for the military in the
assembly, which are stipulated in the Constitution to secure the
military's political influence.
Efforts of the Myanmar government
to improve relations with ethnic minorities who have confronted it have
seen rough going, meaning national reconciliation is not in sight.
Also, worsening public security may pour cold water onto Japanese
companies' passion for investment in the country.
Of all
countries, Japan is providing the most economic assistance to Myanmar.
It is important for Japan that the public and private sectors cooperate
in development assistance to Myanmar, which contributes to the
stabilization of society, such as raising the standard of living for
ethnic minorities and improvement in roads and electricity.
The
strategic value of Myanmar, which is situated in an important location
between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, has been ever
increasing. Myanmar has turned away from its exclusively pro-China
diplomacy under military rule and has been strengthening relations with
such countries as Japan, India and the United States.
To keep
China, which has been increasing its influence through military and
economic expansion, in check, it is important for Japan to deepen
relations with Myanmar.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,
April 19, 2013)
Posted by hnm
on Friday, April 19, 2013. Filed under
