Assessing Japan’s Strategic Footprints in Myanmar

In the immediate aftermath of the military coup d’état, Japan not only condemned and rebuked the 1st February 2021 coup but also expressed a strong commitment to Myanmar’s democratic restoration. It urged the military (Tatmadaw) to release the arrested NLD leaders and ‘swiftly restore Myanmar’s democratic political system’. This unwavering stand should be assessed in the light of its attempts to navigate troubled waters and re-affirm its strategic commitment in Myanmar.