Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said on Tuesday he will visit Myanmar later this month, in the latest high-profile diplomatic trip to try to propel reforms in the isolated nation.
Gemba's visit is the first by a Japanese foreign minister since 2002, as Tokyo considers resuming official development aid as part of increasing international efforts to engage Myanmar's new military-backed civilian government.
"I wish to help solidify Myanmar's democratisation and national reconciliation," Gemba told reporters of his planned tour of Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia from December 25-29, according to local media in Tokyo.
Unlike major Western nations, Japan has maintained trade ties and dialogue with Myanmar and warned that a hardline approach could push Myanmar closer to neighbouring China, its main political supporter and commercial partner. (AFP)
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