The chairman of the Japanese lawmakers’ delegation Mr. Nakagawa, NUG Vice-President Duwa Lashi La and Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than delivered the opening addresses.

Japanese journalist Mr. Yiki Kitazumi who has arrived back in Japan after being unlawfully detained in Myanmar recounted his experiences in Myanmar.

NUG Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung said the military coup in Myanmar was threatening democracy not only in Myanmar but also around the world. The prolonged military dictatorship in Myanmar would allow new dictators on the international stage, she said.

Union Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Dr. Win Myat Aye said it was unacceptable that the military regime had labelled Myanmar people terrorists; Myanmar people were just defending themselves against the regime’s inhumane treatment; and the international community should condemn the military regime calling Myanmar people terrorists.

In response to questions about the human rights situation in Myanmar, Human Rights Minister U Aung Myo Min stressed the need to scrap all the oppressive laws in the country including the racially discriminatory 1982 Citizenship Law. The minister pledged to make continued efforts to promulgate a federal democratic constitution that will ensure no discrimination against all Myanmar citizens.

The Japanese Parliament fully supported and would cooperate with the NUG, said the Japanese MPs who also pledged to ask through the Parliament for Japanese government’s recognition of the NUG as the legitimate people’s government of Myanmar.