🇺🇸🇲🇲🇯🇵 US-Myanmar Talks Resume in Tokyo

The US and Myanmar’s military-backed government held another round of secret talks in Tokyo last week, their second meeting in a month, according to people familiar with the matter. Reuters reported the talks were again led by US Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Michael Vance and involved more than a dozen US officials.

The engagement follows mid-September talks in Naypyitaw focused on securing the release of an American businessman and shutting down scam centres targeting Americans. The renewed channel marks a shift from Washington’s earlier isolation of Myanmar’s generals after the 2021 coup, while potentially opening space for broader discussions including Myanmar’s heavy rare earth deposits, an issue complicated by conflict, fragmented control and China’s presence.

Japan hosted the latest meeting and said it had been communicating with both sides, though it declined to comment on specific exchanges. The talks indicate continued limited US re-engagement with Myanmar’s rulers despite ongoing pressure over abuses and the civil war.

#US #Myanmar #Japan

@asianomics