Japan’s ruling party to elect new leader next month
Prime Minister Suga to run for 2nd term as general election nears in Japan
Prime Minister Suga to run for 2nd term as general election nears in Japan
Taliban invite Japan for reconstruction in Afghanistan.
On August 23, commencing at 10:30（local time; on August 23, 15:00 JST）for 60 minutes, Mr. Motegi Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Foreign Minister-designate of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On August 23rd, commencing at 1:00PM (local time, 7:00PM Japan time) for approximately 90 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held “the First Japan-Qatar Strategic Dialogue” with H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, during his visit to Qatar.
Group’s spokesperson Suhail Shaheen says Taliban hope Japan to reopen its Kabul Embassy ‘soon’.
Amid 76th anniversary of World War II’s end, Beijing issues statement against Japanese officials’ visit to Yasukuni Shrine.
“China strongly opposes the Japanese Defense Minister’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine, and urges the Japanese side to reflect on its history of aggression, correct its mistakes, and gain the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions,” said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, in a written statement on Friday.
The Government of Japan has decided to provide approximately 170 thousands doses of COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in Japan, through the COVAX facility, to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, as part of assistance by Japan to contribute to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in Timor-Leste. The vaccines are scheduled to arrive in Timor-Leste on August 13.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand discussed with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan over the phone on cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines. The Thai side expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan for the goodwill in providing assistance to help alleviate the COVID-19 situation in Thailand. They also exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar.
Japan calls for engagement with ‘pro-democracy groups’ in Myanmar
– Japan vows full support for ASEAN special envoy, says necessary for him to visit Myanmar without delay
By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ANKARA (AA) – Japan on Thursday urged the new special envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to hold deliberations with “pro-democracy groups” in Myanmar.
The regional bloc appointed senior Brunei diplomat Erywan Yusof as its special envoy on Myanmar earlier this month, tasking him with overseeing humanitarian assistance and fostering dialogue between the military junta that grabbed power this February and its opponents.
In a phone call with Erywan, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi underlined the “necessity for the special envoy to visit Myanmar without delay and speak not only with the Myanmar military but also with pro-democracy groups.”
He also stressed “the importance of communication with the international community,” read a Foreign Ministry statement.
He assured Erywan that Japan will “fully support” the ASEAN special envoy’s activities on the Myanmar issue.
On the importance of humanitarian aid, Motegi said Japan has “taken the initiative ahead of other countries and provided over $20 million of humanitarian assistance.”
Erywan expressed appreciation for Japan’s actions and said he will “keep in mind Japan’s advice in carrying out his mission as the special envoy.”
The Myanmar military seized power on Feb. 1 by ousting the government of Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy.
Top political leaders, including Suu Kyi, are among thousands of people detained and hundreds more have been killed as the junta has violently cracked down on anti-coup protests.
According to the latest update by Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group monitoring political violence in Southeast Asia, junta forces have killed at least 965 people since Feb. 1.
“A total of 5,550 persons are currently under detention. A total of 255 people have been sentenced in person, of them 26 have been sentenced to death, including two children,” read the report.