Tokyo : Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has received a passionate welcome by hundreds of her countrymen in Japan, where she sought their support to promoting development of their country. Suu Kyi told the audience at a packed meeting that hardworking people could help improve
Myanmar’s image and encourage foreign investment, reports AP.
Suu Kyi arrived on Monday for a five-day visit amid growing international pressure on her government to get a grip on violence against the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority following reports of army attacks on the civilian population. She didn’t mention the issue at the meeting. Suu Kyi will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and sign Japan’s economic and humanitarian assistance agreements.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced nearly $ 8 billion in aid, loans and investment to promote development and reconciliation in Myanmar after talks with its de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The 800 billion yen
($ 7.7 billion) package from both the public and private sectors is to be spread over five years, Abe said, reports AFP. “This is designed to help Myanmar’s nation-building through its balanced development,” Abe told reporters in a joint appearance with Suu Kyi after their talks. A total of 40 billion yen is earmarked to promote amity in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities in Myanmar, which has been emerging from years of military dictatorship and ethnic conflict.
