A Japanese business executive, Hiroshi Kasamatsu, has been released from detention in Myanmar after being convicted of violating rice pricing rules. Kasamatsu, a director of the Myanmar supermarket Aeon Orange, was arrested on June 30 for selling rice at prices above the official regulations. He was found guilty of violating laws related to daily necessities and services and was sentenced to one year in prison along with a fine of 500,000 kyat (approximately $150).
Major General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for Myanmar's ruling military council, confirmed Kasamatsu's release on Monday afternoon. The Japanese Foreign Ministry stated that Kasamatsu's current plans, whether to stay in Myanmar or return to Japan, remain unclear. However, they assured that he was released in good health.
Rice holds significant importance in Myanmar, a nation grappling with economic instability exacerbated by civil unrest and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the military coup in 2021, the country has witnessed ongoing protests and armed resistance against the ruling military regime.
Aeon Orange, a subsidiary of Japan's retail giant Aeon group, operates multiple supermarkets in Myanmar. The parent company, Aeon, refrained from providing immediate comments on the situation.
Kasamatsu's case is part of a broader crackdown on foreign executives in Myanmar facing similar allegations. According to the state-run Myanmar Alin newspaper, the arrests related to overpricing rice involved 62 suspects, 102 warehouses, 53 supermarkets and superstores, 25 mills, and seven other shops in major cities.
Japan has historically maintained cordial relations with Myanmar, opting for a more lenient stance compared to Western nations regarding the military government's human rights violations and democratic suppression. While Tokyo does not recognize the legitimacy of the current regime and advocates for the restoration of democracy, it refrains from imposing economic sanctions and limits aid to humanitarian purposes.
