TOKYO (AFP) - Japan, which maintains cordial ties with Myanmar, on Monday voiced concern about the junta's extension of the detention of pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
Japan said it was "deeply concerned" about the military regime's decision to keep the Nobel Peace laureate under house arrest for another year.
"Japan strongly hopes that the government of Myanmar will activate talks with the international community, release political detainees including (Mrs.) Aung San Suu Kyi and expeditiously advance a democratisation process," a foreign ministry statement said.
Japan, in a break with the United States and European Union, has rejected sanctions on Myanmar and preferred the approach of most Asian states to try to engage the junta.
However, Japan has put a moratorium on aid for infrastructure and development projects and, after hesitation, last year joined a US motion to haul Myanmar before the UN Security Council for alleged rights abuses.
The decision to extend Aung San Suu Kyi's detention brought criticism from the United States, European Union and Thailand, but the junta enjoys support from Russia and China, veto-wielding members of the Security Council.
Some 58 former world leaders including US ex-president Bill Clinton and Japan's former premier Junichiro Koizumi had sent a joint letter to the junta asking for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.