Japan lawmakers demand effective sanctions against Myanmar military coup leaders

Tokyo : Japanese lawmakers have planned to urge the government to work with the US and the European Union (EU) to impose effective sanctions against the military leaders in Myanmar following the coup last week.
According to a report by NHK World, the lawmakers, including members from the main governing Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, have prepared a written request and will soon submit it to the government.
The lawmakers have further stated that if the military refuses to change its course then “Japan should work with the US and EU countries to implement effective sanction measures” such as putting a halt to economic aid to Myanmar except for humanitarian purposes.
The document has denounced the coup and also called it an “outrageous act that undermines efforts made so far toward democracy and goes against the hopes and expectations of people in Myanmar”.
The Diet members say the Japanese government should urge Myanmar’s military to free the country’s de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others immediately and to transfer all the powers to democratic rule, NHK World said.
Police and military personnel on Tuesday night raided the headquarters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Yangon, reported NHK World.