TODAY, I am visiting Myanmar for the first time as Foreign Minister. I have visited Myanmar three times prior to this visit, and I am truly looking forward to witnessing the remarkable development in Myanmar since my last visit in 2014.

Japan and Myanmar have maintained a friendly and cooperative relationship since World War II. In particular, Japan never forget the gratitude to Myanmar for providing Japan with plenty of rice during the times of food shortage immediately after the war. Myanmar is a key member of the ASEAN and the Mekong region, and the longstanding friendship between Japan and Myanmar has been the cornerstone for building the multilayered relationship in politics, economy, and people-to-people exchange.

Under the leadership of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the efforts for democratisation, national reconciliation, and economic development are currently underway in Myanmar. Japan has been providing utmost support to our dear friend Myanmar. Primarily, Japan is providing the assistance to improve the lives of the Myanmar people through economic development and job creation in Myanmar. The Thilawa Special Economic Zone, which opened in 2015 as a result of cooperation between the public and private sectors of Japan and Myanmar, has been a great success, creating employment for approximately 12,400 people across 113 new companies. We are also making concerted efforts to bolster regional connectivity in Myanmar, such as the EastWest Economic Corridor and the Yangon-Mandalay Railway projects in order that the benefits of the Thilawa development prosperity will prevail in the wider community. Moreover, the scope of our cooperation extends far beyond infrastructure. We are pursuing cooperation in all areas, including health, education, agriculture, and administrative capacity building while promoting “responsible investment” by Japanese companies with an eye to Myanmar’s future. Japan wishes to continue such cooperation.

Japan also cares about the situation in Rakhine State. I am well aware that this is not an easy issue to solve. However, it is of my earnest belief that, with the wisdom of the Myanmar people, building a cohesive society in Myanmar is achievable. Moreover, I am convinced that it is the international community’s mission to support Myanmar’s own initiatives. In particular, I strongly hope that both the Myanmar Government and the Tatmadaw will promptly take legal measures in a transparent manner based on the recommendations of the Independent Commission of Enquiry regarding the alleged human rights violations, while urgently creating an environment conducive to the return of displaced persons. Japan will continue to provide full-fledged support for Myanmar’s efforts that truly contribute to reconciliation and the building of peace and stability in both communities.

Advancing the peace process among ethnic minority communities is also an important challenge. The Government of Japan, together with Mr. SASAKAWA Yohei, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan for National Reconciliation in Myanmar, has been promoting dialogue between the parties, while working with Japanese NGOs to support the improvement of the people’s livelihoods through the provision of infrastructure such as housing, schools, wells, electrification as well as agricultural technical guidance. In Karen and Mon States, 10,000 formerly displaced persons have resumed their normal lives in 2,350 houses that were built through the Nippon Foundation’s assistance. The Nippon Foundation will further continue to support the resettlement of displaced persons in Kachin State. It is our policy to support the determination of the Myanmar Government to achieve peace with ethnic minorities and to advance along with them. I strongly hope that Japan’s support will lead to the improvement of the lives of all Myanmar people and promote the peace process.

The international community is now facing an unprecedented challenge of the global spread of COVID-19. I commend the Myanmar Government and the people for their unity in controlling the spread of the disease throughout the country. Nonetheless, neither Myanmar nor Japan are immune from the impact of the global economic recession and the interruption of cross-border travels. Japan has been leading the international community’s efforts to support countries with inadequate health and medical capacity with the aim of an early elimination of COVID-19. We have provided over 30 million US dollars in technical assistance and health and medical supplies either bilaterally or through international organisations. We are also going to provide 410 million US dollars to assist the efforts of Myanmar in revitalising the economy. Moreover, I am fully aware that many technical intern trainees and students in Myanmar are looking forward to coming to Japan. Japan will continue to discuss with Myanmar to resume people-to-people exchanges in a way that is compatible with preventing the re-spreading of the infection. I strongly hope that the people of Japan and Myanmar will work together to overcome this unprecedented crisis, and further consolidate bilateral ties and achieve economic breakthroughs in the post-COVID era.

This November marks a major milestone in Myanmar’s democratisation process with the general election. I am confident that, with the commitments of the Myanmar people, a free and fair election will be held. Japan will dispatch the Election Observation Team headed by Mr. SASAKAWA Yohei, Special Envoy of the Government of Japan, to observe the smooth conduct of the election together with the Myanmar people. We will also offer grant assistance to provide indelible ink to prevent double-voting to all polling stations across Myanmar and contribute to achieving a free and fair election. As a sincere friend of Myanmar, Japan will continue to provide maximum support for the democratic nation-building of Myanmar at both public and private levels.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.)