Myanmar's release of Aeon exec signals struggle to retain investment

Military government wants to appear tough on inflation while propping up economy

20240813N Aeon Orange

The employee of Japanese retail chain Aeon was released immediately after sentencing. (Nikkei)

Nikkei staff writers

BANGKOK/YANGON -- Myanmar's sudden release of a Japanese Aeon executive convicted of a rice pricing violation appears to reflect how the military government is torn between controlling inflation and maintaining foreign investment.

Hiroshi Kasamatsu, who was in charge of price setting at local venture Aeon Orange, was detained in June. He was sentenced to one year in prison on Monday, only to be released the same day.

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