Japanese Supermarket Manager Released from Myanmar Detention

Myanmar authorities have released a Japanese supermarket manager, Hiroshi Kasamatsu, from detention. He had been sentenced to one year in prison for violating rice price controls. The Japanese foreign ministry confirmed his release but did not provide further details due to privacy concerns.

Myanmar authorities have released a Japanese man from detention, Japan's foreign ministry confirmed on Tuesday, following media reports about the release of a manager from the supermarket giant Aeon's local unit.

A Myanmar court had sentenced Hiroshi Kasamatsu, the Japanese Aeon manager, to one year in prison, Aeon confirmed to Reuters on Monday. He was sentenced for violating rice price controls, according to Kyodo news. The Japanese foreign ministry did not elaborate on the circumstances of the man's release and declined to confirm whether he was the Aeon manager, citing privacy concerns.

Myanmar arrested four executives of supermarket chains, including an official of a Japanese joint venture, for selling rice at inflated prices, the country's state media said last month. The impoverished Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since its military deposed an elected civilian government in February 2021, sparking widespread protests that have morphed into nationwide armed resistance.