Japan to resume aid to Myanmar

Japan is to resume aid to Myanmar to help fix a hydro power plant in the country. The move is related to the country's recent release of political prisoners.

Japan's foreign minister Koichiro Gemba is to meet with Myanmar's counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin on Friday.

Lwin, who is visiting Tokyo from Thursday, is the first foreign minister from the country in 16 years to land Japan.

Myanmar has been releasing political prisoners as part of an amnesty for 6,300.

Sources say Gemba will tell Lwin that Japan hopes to strengthen bilateral relations with Myanmar since the release of prisoners is a tangible step toward democracy and national reconciliation.

The Japanese foreign minister will also inform his counterpart that Japan intends to resume aid to fix a major hydro power plant in northern Myanmar.

The aid had been suspended for 8 years after opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained.

In March, the country's former military government was replaced by a civilian administration for the first time in 23 years. The new government still retains many former military officials.

Friday, October 21, 2011 06:44 +0900 (JST)