Japan could freeze all Myanmar aid, foreign minister warns

Protesters taking part in a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay

Tokyo could freeze all aid to Myanmar, Japan's foreign minister warned in an interview published Friday, as the military junta continues to use lethal force against opponents of its coup. Japan is a top donor to Myanmar, and has already suspended new aid after the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. But Toshimitsu Motegi, speaking to the Nikkei newspaper, said the freeze could be expanded. ‘We don't want to do that at all, but we have to state firmly that it will be difficult to continue under these circumstances,’ he told the newspaper.