Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi sought support from the world’s third largest economy in her first visit to Japan in 27 years.
Meeting with Japanese lawmakers in Tokyo, Suu Kyi called for Japanese investment and economic aid that would create jobs in the once-isolated nation and boost its democratization process, reports AFP.
“The people cannot improve their livelihood without a job,” Suu Kyi told lawmakers.
Suu Kyi also sought Japanese assistance in securing clean drinking water and irrigation water for farming, building roads, supplying electricity, and the enhancement of a medical and healthcare services.
The 67-year-old pro-democracy icon met with Crown Prince Naruhito and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday. She will hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday to cement Japan’s support for Myanmar’s ongoing democratization.
Japan maintained trade ties and generous aid for Myanmar during the military junta regime. As a sign of its unwavering support for the reformist government, Japan agreed to write off Myanmar’s debt, worth 350 billion yen ($3.6 billion).
