EU to assist Myanmar in the education sector: Japan welcomes EU assistance Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The European Union (EU) will assist Myanmar in the education sector to the tune of US$252 million dollars. This news is widely appreciated because State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is intent on increasing…
Myanmar and the Arakan Army should hold talks on unity rather than boosting the Islamist dream Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Myanmar is beset by many ethnic conflicts and clearly, Rakhine is known internationally based on the pro-Muslim narrative in relation to Bengali Muslims. However, the situation is extremely complex because…
Western powers need to support Myanmar and the path of democracy under Aung San Suu Kyi Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The State Counsellor of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, is determined to maintain the path of democracy in this country and to solve countless protracted ethnic issues that blight the…
Multi-ethnic and multi-religious Myanmar is trying to solve many protracted conflicts Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Myanmar and the armed forces of this nation are trying to restore order, foster greater ties with regional nations and further afield, and maintain the democratic path. However, the international media is…
Myanmar by-election and the entrenchment of democracy: Multiple parties and ethnic vitality Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The international media often focuses on the same spin in relation to Myanmar. Hence, it is difficult to know if the “free press” is that free? This fact is being witnessed again in relation…
Myanmar seeks dialogue with the United Nations Special Envoy: Non-Muslim voices Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The United Nations Special Envoy to Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, recently revisited this multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. Of course, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi fully understands the need to build bridges of trust…
Myanmar should utilize its geopolitical importance: Positive ties with China, India, and Japan Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The nation of Myanmar is far from isolated despite the efforts of many Western and Islamic media outlets. Equally, Myanmar doesn’t need any moral lambasting from nations that sell military arms to Saudi…
Myanmar and the Yazidi shadow in Rakhine: Buddhists, Mro, Bengali Hindus, and others fled ARSA Islamists Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In Iraq and Syria it soon became apparent that Sunni Islamist forces, be it al-Qaeda, ISIS, or a plethora of other Takfiri Islamist groups, hated all and sundry. Hence, it…
Japan to welcome State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar and discuss bilateral issues Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan invited State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar to discuss important issues between both nations. At the same time, the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit will…
Myanmar is trying to restore order and solve many protracted conflicts: U.N. is out of touch Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Myanmar and the armed forces of this nation are trying to restore order, foster greater ties with regional nations and further afield, and maintain the democratic path.…
More Japanese companies to invest in Myanmar: Thilawa Special Economic Zone Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Increasing numbers of Japanese companies are investing in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Myanmar. Of course, this SEZ is especially important for Japan because it highlights the importance of Myanmar to political elites…
Myanmar and unity: Military Chief focuses on federalism and multi-party democracy Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The nation of Myanmar is on the path of consolidating multi-party democracy and is focused on reaching out to fellow Asia Pacific nations and further afield. In recent times, military talks and developments with China,…
Myanmar reaches out militarily during ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces meeting held in Singapore Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Myanmar is focused firmly on reaching out internationally in the realm of economic investments, development projects, and forging closer military ties with regional nations – and further afield in…
Myanmar, the Russian Federation, and counter-insurgency: Sukhoi-30 and Yak-130 Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Myanmar is intent on developing its armed forces because of various ethnic insurgencies, the growing threat of ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army) Islamist terrorism in the shadow of the Bengali Muslim land grab in Rakhine, the intrigues…
Japan wants India to assist Myanmar to a higher degree: Confused by Trump administration Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yohei Sasakawa, the Special Envoy of Japan to Myanmar, is alarmed by the increasing role of China in the internal affairs of Myanmar and the aloofness of America under President Donald Trump.…
Hindus and the Buddhist Mro Tribe are fleeing ARSA Islamists in Myanmar: Eye of Yazidis Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The mass media is adept at mass generalizations and this certainly applies to the complex reality of Myanmar. Hence, the endless one-sided and pro-Muslim Rohingya mantra is spread – often, with…
Myanmar’s Peace Process: A Nationwide Ceasefire Remains Elusive International Crisis Group OVERVIEW After more than six decades of internal armed conflict, the next four weeks could be decisive for Myanmar’s peace process. The process, which was launched in August 2011, enjoyed significant initial success, as bilateral ceasefires were agreed with more than a dozen ethnic…
Myanmar and Religious Tensions: China, Japan, India and US in Geopolitical Game Ri Kuk-Chol and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The nation of Myanmar (Burma) appears to be at a major crossroads because past intransigence is now being followed by a possible thaw, whereby this nation comes in from the “international cold.” Of course,…
