Myanmar court sentences Japanese supermarket executive for law violations
File photo taken in July 2024 shows an Aeon Orange supermarket in Yangon
An executive from the joint venture of Japanese supermarket chain Aeon Co. in Myanmar was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison and fined Monday, according to diplomatic sources, following his detention for violating the rice pricing rules of the country.
Hiroshi Kasamatsu, 53, the merchandise division chief of Aeon Orange Co., had been held for interrogation in Yangon since June 30. He was indicted on July 11 by the Mayanamar government.
According to the Government, Kasamatsu was detained for selling rice at prices up to 70 percent higher than the level mandated by authorities.
Kasamatsu’s case marks the first conviction of an official from a Japanese-affiliated company over its corporate activities. The rare crackdown on a foreigner for violating price regulations occurred despite Japan’s decision not to impose sanctions on Mayanamar or its military officials and groups following the coup, unlike Western countries.
Responding to the case, the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar said it will continue to urge the Manamar Govt to release Kasamatsu as soon as possible. He is believed to be held in Yangon’s Insein Prison, notorious for its inhumane conditions and housing political prisoners as well as those with serious charges.
Following the military coup in Mayanamar, protests against the junta rule devolved into a violent conflict between the junta and opposition forces, comprising pro-democracy armed groups and ethnic minority rebels, ravaging Myanmar’s economy.
The military regime has set a reference exchange rate for Myanmar’s currency, the kyat, which has weakened significantly since the coup, and sought to stabilize the market by fixing the prices of essential goods.
Local media have reported that dozens of Myanmar dealers of essential goods like rice and fuels were detained in May and June for violating price regulations, with many still not released.
Before Kasamatsu, two Japanese journalists were detained in Myanmar after the coup. One was detained in April 2021 and released the following month after being indicted, while the other was held in July 2022 and freed in November that year after being found guilty.
