Japanese editorial excerpts

Selected editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

USE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON MYANMAR (The Daily Yomiuri as translated from the Yomiuri Shimbun)

Military-ruled Myanmar has fallen into a serious situation. The junta has begun an armed crackdown against anti-junta demonstrations that have expanded in many cities, including in the largest city of Yangon. The crackdown has claimed lives, including monks who led nonviolent demonstrations, while many others have been arrested.

When the Myanmar military opened fire against pro-democracy demonstrators in 1988, more than 1,000 people perished. Such tragic incidents should not be repeated.

In order to keep the military regime from running wild, the international community needs to exert pressure.

The latest political crisis has been, more or less, brought about by the military regime itself.

People in Myanmar have been forced to lead hard lives over the past few years due to continuing price hikes. In mid-August, the junta abruptly and markedly raised fuel prices, including the price of gasoline, igniting people's anger.

The greatest consensus among protesters is to push for a dialogue with the junta toward democratization. As some young Buddhist monks advocate bringing down military rule, however, the movement has become increasingly political.

If the monks, a spiritual pillar for the people, and the pro-democracy forces boost their ties, it might bring about an uncontrollable situation for the junta.

The military government has probably undertaken the armed crackdown on protesters because of such fears.

The primary factor underlying the present expanded protests is the people's discontent with the military dictatorship, which has been in power since a coup in 1988.

In Myanmar, devout Buddhists account for 90 percent of the population. If the country's Buddhists, which purportedly includes about 400,000 monks, rise up against military rule in response to a military crackdown, clashes may expand and escalate further.

To avert this, the U.N. Security Council issued a statement urging restraint by the military regime. The United States and the council's European Union members also announced a joint statement calling for additional sanctions against the country.

Yet China and Russia, both of which have maintained close ties with the military regime, are against a resolution denouncing the country, let alone enacting sanctions.

Any international pressure that excludes China would lack impact, as China supports the military regime, both militarily and economically, as its largest donor.

As Japan has maintained ties with both the military regime and pro-democracy forces in Myanmar, it should explore ways to contribute to the settlement of that country's difficult situation. (Sept. 28)