“The military government is starting to collapse” Myanmar democratic “foreign minister” who visited Japan expressed dissatisfaction with Japan: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

Foreign Minister Zimmer Aoun of the National Unity Government (NUG), which was established by pro-democracy groups in response to the military that staged a coup in February 2021, visited Japan in November. He was the first NUG minister to visit Japan. He has been in contact with members of Congress and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has asserted at press conferences and rallies that the military is reducing the area it controls in response to the recent offensive by pro-democracy forces. In what is said to be the biggest turning point since the coup, what did Japan want from Japan in order to restore democracy? (Seishi Kitagawa)

◆Cooperating with armed groups to fight against the national army

“The military government is starting to collapse.” On November 24th, at a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Zimmer Aoun emphasized his strength.

The NUG was established as the legitimate government by members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), which was overthrown in a coup. The People’s Defense Forces (PDF), an affiliated armed group, is fighting the national army in cooperation with ethnic armed groups.

PDF and ethnic minorities have been on the offensive in rural areas since late October. According to Zimmer Aoun, the military’s influence in rural areas has fallen to less than 40%, and it is beginning to lose control of urban areas. After the coup, an estimated 14,000 soldiers and police officers surrendered to the NUG side.

On November 21, Zimmer Aung made this appeal in front of members of the Diet at a meeting held in the National Assembly by the nonpartisan “Parliamentary League Supporting Myanmar’s Democracy” (chaired by Masaharu Nakagawa). “If you provide clearer support, we can end the suffering of the people of Myanmar sooner.”

Deep in his words, dissatisfaction with Japan’s diplomacy with Myanmar can be seen. Zimmer Aoun stated, “I have no intention of destroying the military as a whole.I hope that effective pressure from the international community will lead to changes from the military leadership.” He cited the establishment of diplomatic relations with the NUG and economic sanctions against military leaders and military-affiliated companies as effective pressure.

However, although Japan passed a resolution condemning the coup in its Diet, unlike Europe and the United States, it did not impose sanctions on military leaders and continued its existing Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects. It has not been officially approved by NUG.

◆ Contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; treated as “unofficial” only

“We appreciate the resolution, but it is not enough.” He urged Japan to review its foreign policy and increase pressure, including for approval of the NUG, while working with other Asian countries.

At the same time, they desperately needed humanitarian aid. According to the United Nations, more than 300,000 people have fled their homes due to the intensification of fighting since late October, and the number of internally displaced persons is estimated to be around 2 million, including those before then. He called for “humanitarian assistance through organizations that cooperate with the NUG, without involving the military.”

During his 12-day stay, Zimmer Aoun reportedly met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and shared his opinions on the nature of ODA and humanitarian aid. However, it was treated as an unofficial matter.

◆“It would be a big mistake to talk only with the national military.”

On the other hand, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Emanuel, who met with him on the 27th, posted a pro-NUG message on X (formerly Twitter) saying, “I support a government that truly represents the people.” He highlighted the difference in stance with the Japanese government.

Zimmer Aoun also held meetings with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and researchers. Maiko Ichihara, a professor of international politics at Hitotsubashi University Graduate School who presided over the meeting, said, “The significance of the visit to Japan is great.”

With all eyes on Gaza and Ukraine, Ichihara praised the program for conveying the current situation in Myanmar and arousing interest. He then goes on to hammer home Japan’s diplomacy by saying, “The absolute majority of Myanmar’s people oppose the military government.It would be a big mistake to talk only with the military, thinking that military rule will be stable in the future.”

“We have to have dialogue with the NUG and ethnic minorities. In that sense, it is important that Zimmer Aoun met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said, expressing his hopes for the Japanese government. “I hope that they will become serious about building a relationship with NUG, even if it is unofficial.”