Japan set to halt new Myanmar assistance following coup

Tokyo faces international pressure as it balances junta ties with democratic ideals

20210225N Myanmar protest

Pro-democracy protesters fill the street in Mandalay on Feb. 25. (AP/Kyodo)

MASAYA KATO and TAKUYA MIZOROGI, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan is considering halting new official development aid to Myanmar for the foreseeable future amid growing global outcry over the Feb. 1 military coup and subsequent deadly crackdown on protesters in the Southeast Asian country.

Negotiating and agreeing to new assistance would be too difficult for the Japanese government under the current circumstances, since such moves could appear to legitimize Myanmar's military junta that ousted de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

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