Japan asks Myanmar release a detained Japanese journalist
19 April, 2021
Japan's government said on Monday (Apr 19) that it's asking Myanmar release a Japanese journalist Yuki Kitazumi who was simply arrested at his home in Yangon.
BBC Burmese quoted a witness as saying Kitazumi was taken into custody by troops on Sunday night. He was asked to improve both of your hands and was recinded in an automobile, it said.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters that his government is asking Myanmar authorities to clarify the arrest and provide other details while requesting his release as soon as possible.
“We will continue asking the Myanmar side for his early release, while doing our utmost for the protection of japan citizens in that country,” Kato said.
Kitazumi runs a media production company, Yangon Media Professionals, and used to be a journalist with the Nikkei business daily, according to his Facebook page and interviews with online media.
He had been detained briefly in late February by police while covering pro-democracy protests in Myanmar, where in fact the military ousted the elected government Feb 1.
Japan has stepped up its criticism of Myanmar's deadly crackdown on opposition but has taken a milder approach compared to the US and some other countries that imposed sanctions against members of the military junta.
Based on the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners activist group, 737 people have been killed by security forces because the coup and 3,229 remain in detention.
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