Japan to press Myanmar for explanation over killing of Japanese journalist
By Channel NewsAsia's Japan Bureau Chief Michiyo Ishida | Posted: 29 September 2007 0130 hrs

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TOKYO : Japan will press Myanmar for a full explanation on the killing of a Japanese journalist in Yangon.

Kenji Nagai was reportedly among nine people killed on Thursday in a violent crackdown on protesters.

He is the first foreign victim.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary described his killing as "extremely unfortunate", and said Tokyo is monitoring the situation closely.

Japan is shocked that one of its citizens has fallen victim to the Myanmar crisis.

Nagai is believed to have been shot by troops in a crackdown on protesters on the streets of Myanmar's capital Yangon.

The 50-year-old is a journalist who has travelled to many war zones including Palestine, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

Nagai worked for a small video news agency in Akasaka, Tokyo. He's reported to have been in Thailand earlier this month, when he decided to leave for Myanmar to do stories.

There, he was shot to death amid struggles between security forces and protesters.

"The first thing we want to do is to investigate and uncover the truth. This is the most important thing. At the same time, we strongly urge the Myanmar government to ensure that such an incident does not happen again," said Nobutaka Machimura, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Japan's Foreign Correspondents Club has issued a statement of concern.

"(Foreign Correspondents Club of) Japan deplores the killing in Yangon of Kenji Nagai, a journalist with Tokyo's APF News, and condemns the use of violence by Myanmar security forces," said Martyn Williams, President, Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan.

Myanmar nationals living in Japan protested outside their embassy in Tokyo.

At a news conference, they urged the military government in Yangon to observe human rights and justice.

They also urged governments worldwide to help end the violence in Myanmar.

"We want Japan to exert more pressure, more sanctions and more involvement, and to persuade China, ASEAN and also India to play a role (to end) this brutality and bloodshed," said Tin Win, President, Federation of Workers' Union of the Burmese Citizens in Japan.

"The government is not going to stop killing its own people. The only way to bring them to the table is to get international pressure and get support from the United Nations," said Myanmarese Thank Zin Oo.

For now, Japan is not withholding humanitarian aid or financial assistance to Myanmar.

"The government needs to carefully observe further developments before making its next move. We haven't decided whether to stop giving financial aid," said the Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Japanese officials said the Deputy Foreign Minister will visit Yangon this weekend to convey the country's anger over Nagai's death. - CNA /ls