Politics

Japanese journalist detained in Myanmar

Tokyo, Apr 19 (EFE).- Authorities in Tokyo Monday said they were ascertaining the whereabouts of a detained Japanese freelance journalist and filmmaker in Myanmar.

Security forces detained Yuki Kitazumi, who lives in Myanmar, Sunday night, according to several eyewitnesses.

Several witnesses have said that dozens of soldiers and police officers broke into the building housing Kitazumi’s home in Yangon, the country’s largest city.

They took the journalist along with his belongings, local outlet Mizzima News reported.

“We are aware of this information and we are trying to confirm the details,” a Japanese foreign ministry spokesperson in Tokyo told EFE.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that the authorities were investigating the events through the embassy in Myanmar.

The government will make all possible efforts to protect its citizens in Myanmar, Suga said.

He made the remarks upon his arrival at Kantei, the prime minister’s official residence, on Monday, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Kitazumi, 45, was also detained for several hours in Yangon on Feb.26 while covering anti-coup protests after the Myanmar military seized power.

The Japanese journalist was released later, and he continued to report on the situation in articles and posts on social media.

Protests against the military coup continue in Myanmar amid violent repression of protesters by security forces.

More than 700 civilians have died in military repression since the coup. EFE

mra/pd/ssk

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