Myanmar releases detained Japanese man, says Japan foreign ministry (updated)
13/08/2024 04:26
(Adds more details)
TOKYO, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Myanmar authorities have
released a Japanese man from detention, Japan's foreign ministry
confirmed on Tuesday, following reports in media of the release
of a manager of supermarket giant Aeon's 8267.T local unit.
A Myanmar court had sentenced Hiroshi Kasamatsu, the
Japanese Aeon manager, to one year in prison, Aeon confirmed to
Reuters on Monday. He was sentenced for violating rice price
controls, according to Kyodo news.
The Japanese foreign ministry did not elaborate on the
circumstances of the man's release and declined to confirm
whether was the Aeon manager citing privacy concerns.
Myanmar arrested four executives of supermarket chains,
including an official of a Japanese joint venture, for selling
rice at inflated prices, the country's state media said last
month.
The impoverished Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil
since its military deposed an elected civilian government in
February 2021, sparking widespread protests that have morphed
into nationwide armed resistance.
(Reporting by Kantaro Komiya, Sakura Murakami, and Kiyoshi
Takenaka; Editing by Tom Hogue and Shri Navaratnam)
((Kantaro.Komiya@thomsonreuters.com; Twitter: @kantarokomiya;))