Investment for Sharing Value

Based on an expectation for making closer partnership, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed a political leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, at State Guest House in Tokyo. Listing common values two nations shared, Abe pledged ¥800 billion of economic support in coming five years to Myanmar. That was the first attempt of Japanese government to compete growing influence from China to that emerging economy in Southeast Asia.

After handing administration from military government to civilian in 2011, Myanmar has slowly been renewing its regime to democratic one. With the victory of National League for Democracy led by Suu Kyi this March, Japan obtained an opportunity to promote value-oriented diplomacy with Myanmar. In the meeting with Suu Kyi, Abe raised freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law as the values two nations could share. While Myanmar was highly dependent on China in the time of military government, Japan is looking to show clear contrast from commitment of China in democratic partnership.

The tool for value-oriented diplomacy is clearly economy. ¥400 billion of support out of whole ¥800 will be used for reconciliation with ethnic minority in Myanmar including Rohingya. Ethnic issue is one of the top political agenda for Suu Kyi. To deal with the opposition to Rohingya, cooperation with China is indispensable so far. Japan’s support on the issue is to be involved in the sensitive issue, in which China is dominant.

Abe pledged ¥10 billion of yen loan for reforming water power generation plant. Annual exchange of people would be increasing up to 1,000. The program of cooperation was extended to nine fields, including agriculture or infrastructure. “As a friend of Myanmar, Japan is going to make its best to support new regime. I want to make a great progress in our bilateral relationship,” said Abe to Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi recognized Japan as reliable partner and expected it to walk along together.

Suu Kyi has to be one of the greatest fans of Japan in Myanmar. The next day of top meeting, she visited Kyoto University, where she studied as a visiting scholar in 1980s. In the talking event with students, Suu Kyi emphasized on importance of choice in any way and responsibility on the choice. Kyoto University sent her an honorary doctorate on her effort for democracy and human rights.

Even how both nations share common values, international relations does not allow immediate progress of long frozen bilateral diplomacy. Main expectation of Burmese government is not intervention in domestic ethnic issues but economy and development. It is still concerned that Japan will support a regime which keeps on oppressing ethnic minority.