Myanmar coup highlights human rights risks in emerging Asia

Uniqlo leads ranking as companies urged to look after ESG investors

Anti-coup protesters confront police forces in Yangon. The future of the Myanmar economy is uncertain with the possibility of sanctions being reimposed by the U.S and Europe. © Reuters

RYUSHIRO KODAIRA, Nikkei senior staff writer

February 15, 2021 16:58 JST

TOKYO -- The power grab by the Myanmar military has cast a pall over the future of the country, once dubbed "Asia's last frontier" by foreign companies and investors. What transpired is a reminder of the potentially huge risks for investment in Myanmar and other parts of Southeast Asia.

According to regionally savvy institutional investors who spoke with Nikkei Asia, the coup gives market players reason to ponder two particular risks.