Japan's action to accept Burma refugees changes Asia's image

The troubling issue surfaced again on the 17th January 2008 meeting between Japan's Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura and his Burmese counterpart Nyan Win. Japan expressed its displeasure in a statement: “The Japanese side has not been convinced yet by the account given by the Myanmar police.”

If this major humanitarian policy gets implemented, the Japanese government will accept about 30 Burmese refugees from Thailand starting 2010. This development not only surprises the international community, but also gives a new hope to the Burmese democratic movement.

This bold decision makes Japan to become the first country in the region to launch such an initiative. Not only was the move welcome by the Burmese democratic movement, but also by the chief of United Nations humanitarian agency.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said, “I am glad that Japan is starting with a small program. As such, I am confident that the pilot project will develop and expand into a regular and large program.”

Japan's decision has broken the traditionally held perception that refugees are resettled only in western countries. This sets a good example for many other Asian nations. As long as no democratic society, which equally treats all ethnic nationalities, can be established in Burma, there will be more Burmese refugees.

Her status as an economic giant of Asia and the historical relationship the two countries had during Burma's independence struggle, Japan's involvement in Burmese democratic transition is essential.

In the absence of a coordinated international approach, Burma's military leaders will continue to have the upper hands in suppressing the aspirations of the Burmese people.

Both engagement and sanction imposing groups must come together to find amicable solution to decades-old Burma's problems.

It is high time for the international community to realize that neither engagement nor sanction alone, without a coordinated action, is effective enough to bring change in Burma.

Nehginpao Kipgen is the General Secretary of U.S.-based Kuki International Forum (www.kukiforum.com) and a researcher on the rise of political conflicts in modern Burma (1947-2004).

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