Abe calls on Suu Kyi to ensure Rohingya can return to Myanmar

Imperial Japan had played a terrible role during the second world war after occupying Burma. Its occupation led to the ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Muslims all across Burma, let alone the Indian community that provided bulk of the employees in the government services. Many of the survivors fled to the British-ruled Bengal in India. The Rohingyas of Burma were particularly affected when the Rakhine and Burmese fascists, aided by the occupation Japanese forces, conducted horrendous crimes of obliterating their existence in the southern part of the Arakan state. They faced extinction, rape and pillage; the survivors fled to the north in what would later be known as the Mayu Frontier region, and fought on the side of the British forces against the fascist Rakhine and Buddhist forces that were allied with the Japanese occupation forces.

Much of the problems that divide the major communities in the Arakan – Rakhine and Rohingya – go back to those tragic years of the Japanese occupation of Burma.

It is sad to see that even after some 70 years, Japan continues to provide financial incentives and aids to the Burmese governments, in spite of the latter’s incessant crimes against humanity. 

So, while one may appreciate Prime Minister Abe's call to redress the Rohingya issue, it does not absolve his government of providing a lifeline to the murderous regime that is guilty of genocide.

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"With regard to the alleged human rights violations in Rakhine State, it is indispensable that the Myanmar government and military take appropriate measures promptly," Abe was quoted by the Japanese Foreign Ministry as telling Suu Kyi in their meeting in Tokyo.

Rohingya refugees fled to Bangladesh to escape a military crackdown in Myanmar and their repatriation remains a challenge.

Since 2017, Some 742,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh in search of safety, according to the United Nations. The Rohingya are considered stateless people in Myanmar where they have for decades faced discrimination and persecution.

Suu Kyi expressed her intention to address the Rakhine issue "correctly" and take necessary steps, the ministry said. Abe pledged Japan's support.

Abe kicked off a series of back-to-back meetings with foreign leaders visiting Japan to attend Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony on Tuesday. Suu Kyi is among the dignitaries from over 180 countries expected to take part in the imperial event.

For Abe, the meetings will provide an opportunity to explore bilateral cooperation and discuss growing regional challenges, ranging from tackling North Korea's missile and nuclear threat to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region amid Beijing's growing influence.

In a meeting with Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, president of the Maldives, Abe expressed hope that his country can deepen ties with the island nation in the Indian Ocean considered important due to its location near critical sea lanes.

Solih told Abe that he also recognizes the importance of free navigation in the Indo-Pacific, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

In the five days through Friday, Abe is expected to meet with around 50 leaders, which will likely include South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak Yon.

The meeting with the South Korean representative would come at a time when Japan-South Korea ties are at the lowest point in years over disagreements related to wartime history and trade policy.