New Delhi (Mizzima) - In what seems to be a new shade of interest by the Japanese government on Burma, Deputy Foreign Minister Tesuro Fukuyama met Burmese activists on Wednesday and discussed Japanese policy on Burma.

Maung Maung, General Secretary of the National Council of Union of Burma, a coalition of Burmese pro-democracy groups in exile, on Wednesday was invited by the Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister.

Dr. Min Nyo, a representative of the NCUB in Tokyo, who also joined Maung Maung during the meeting said, “Fukuyama has been active in supporting the Burmese cause even when he was a member of the opposition.”

After defeating the Liberal Democratic Party, which has ruled Japan for over half a century, in the August elections, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) formed the government.

In the past, Japan has maintained a quiet diplomacy and often does not criticize the Burmese military junta for its appalling human rights violations.  But the new government, which had been rhetorical over events in Burma, is expected by and large, by pro-democracy groups to be more supportive of the Burmese democracy movement.

Reporting by Salai Han Thar San