July 1, 2024

Following the arrest of Hiroshi Kasamatsu, Director of Aeon Orange Shopping Center, by the junta due to rising rice prices, the Japanese government and the Japanese Embassy in Yangon have called for his immediate release.

According to a statement given to NHK by the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar, they are aware of the detention of Japanese national Hiroshi Kasamatsu and have formally requested the Myanmar military to release him.

The junta has been inspecting supermarkets, large stores, rice mills, and rice depots due to the increasing rice prices, accusing these establishments of selling rice at inflated prices for profit. As part of this operation, 22 supermarket officials and 11 rice business owners have been detained under Section 5 of the Essential Goods and Services Act.

Kasamatsu was arrested in his capacity as Director of Aeon Orange Shopping Center.

Japanese economic stakeholders have expressed concern that the arrest of a Japanese businessman involved in investments in Myanmar could potentially drive Japanese businesses to withdraw from the country.