Myanmar returns convicted Japanese exec to Tokyo
This file photo taken in July 2024 shows an Aeon Orange supermarket in Yangon
An executive of a joint venture of Japanese supermarket chain Aeon Co. in Myanmar returned to Japan on Wednesday, the company said, following his release by Myanmar Govt after being convicted by a court for violating the rice pricing rules.
Hiroshi Kasamatsu, 53, the merchandise division chief of Aeon Orange Co., left Yangon on Tuesday and arrived in Bangkok the same day without any major health problems.
Kasamatsu had been detained for about a month and a half. It was not clear why he was freed, according to people familiar with the matter.
Aeon issued a statement saying, “We deeply apologize for any inconvenience caused whatever the circumstances.”
Kasamatsu had been detained in Yangon for interrogation since June 30 and was indicted on July 11. He was convicted bycourt and sentenced to one year in prison and fined Monday, and was handed over later in the day.
His conviction was the first of a Japanese businessman in connection with corporate activity in Myanmar since the military ousted the country’s civilian government in a February 2021 coup.
According to the Myanmar Govt, Kasamatsu was detained for selling rice at prices up to 70 percent higher than the level mandated by authorities.
Following the coup, widespread protests against the military devolved into a violent conflict between the military and opposition forces, comprising armed groups and ethnic minority rebels, ravaging Myanmar’s economy.
The Myanmar government has imposed controlled prices on essential goods in an effort to curb inflation.
Aeon explained that although Myanmar authorities issued fixed prices for rice on June 24, local retailers, including Aeon Orange, were initially unaware of the directive. The violation continued until the evening of June 26, when they became aware of the order and adjusted prices the following day.
Local media have reported that dozens of Myanmar dealers of essential goods, including rice and fuel, were detained in May and June for violating price regulations, with many of them not yet released.
The detention of the official of a Japanese-affiliated company came despite Japan’s decision not to impose sanctions on the military or associated individuals and groups since the coup, unlike Western countries.
Aeon Orange was established in 2016 with local retailer Creation Myanmar Group of Companies.
