The discussion centered on the possibility of foreign policy change towards Burma and its future prospects, one of the participants at this meeting, Dr. Min Nyo from the Tokyo based-Burma Office, told Mizzima.

“The MPs told Burma to have an all-inclusive policy in politics and to release all political prisoners. They also demanded the establishment of the rule of law. We also discussed whether Japan’s foreign policy towards Burma had shifted or not,” Dr. Min Nyo said.

Meanwhile, a recent official visit by Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Makiko Kikuta to Burma has led to reconsidering giving economic aid to Burma, the Japanese daily paper Yumiuri reported on July 3.

“The Japanese deputy foreign minister said that a new chapter of Japan-Burma relation had been opened. The word new chapter and new page means change in foreign policy,” Dr. Min Nyo said.

The meeting was attended by the MP Union Secretary and ruling Democratic Party Upper House MP Azuma Konno, officials from the Burma Office, the Japan Trade Union and a representative from the Network of Democracy in Burma (NDB). The meeting was held at the office of Azuma Konno in the MP residential block. The fighting in Shan State, news of importing nuclear weapon technology from North Korea, the use of child soldiers and forced labour issues were discussed.

The issues will be deliberated at a meeting of the MPs Union Extraordinary Meeting to be held on July 12.

Pro-democracy forces in Japan believe that the Japanese government should not give aid to Burma as long as there is a civil war going on and no significant democratic change in the country.