Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi Visits Japan Again after Almost 30 Years

Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma is in Japan for a one-week visit. The pro-democracy leader of Burma is scheduled to meet a number of important Japanese officials, foremost of whom is Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. Suu Kyi’s main objective is to ask for assistance from Japan with regard to her current efforts at affecting Burmese democratic reforms.

Suu Kyi is also set to meet with the Foreign Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida. She will also be discussing important matters with the Speaker of the Lower House, and the President of the House of Councilors. Suu Kyi, the enduring head of the National League for Democracy was invited to Japan by its Foreign Ministry.

First visit to Japan in almost three decades

This is the first trip to Japan for the Burmese leader in 27 years – her first after she was released. Aung San Suu Kyi, now 67 years old, was placed under house arrest by the Burmese Government from July 20, 1989 until the current government of Myanmar set her free on November 13, 2010. Suu Kyi is the opposition leader of Burma and has become the symbol of democracy in her native country.

Expectations met and dashed

Suu Kyi arrived in Tokyo on Saturday. She was welcomed at Narita Airport by well-wishers including a number of Burmese nationals. She expected to meet with around 10,000 Burmese citizens who are now residing in Japan.

However, the Rohingya in Japan – the Muslim minority of Myanmar numbering about 200 expressed disappointment at not being given the chance to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi at this time. According to the United Nations the Rohingya minority group is one of the most persecuted in the world. The ongoing conflict between Buddhists and Muslims somewhat hinder the political reforms that Suu Kyi is working for.

General Aung San in Japan

In the mid-80s from1985 to 1986, Nobel Peace Prize awardee Aung San Suu Kyi had stayed in Japan as a visiting scholar. She served as university researcher at at Kyoto University. Now, she is expected to visit Kyoto University again during six-day stay.

Her father, the father of democracy in Burma also stayed in Japan in his time, though for another purpose. General Aung San was the leader of the movement for independence against the British colonials. In the late 1940s the leader of the independent movement then known as Burma sought help and succor from the Japanese Imperial Army. Japan provided weapons, manpower and financial help to General Aung San. The General and his family are very much endeared to the Japanese people.

Honorary awards

During this visit to Japan, Suu Kyi will give a lecture at Kyoto University and Ryukoku University on Monday. Aside from the lectures she will also be receiving awards. Kyoto University is making her an honorary fellow while she will be presented with a doctorate at Ryukoku University. These honors add to an already impressive list which includes the Nobel Peace Prize which was granted to her in 1991.

Photo Credits:  Aung San Suu Kyi