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 allegedly violating the rice pricing rules of the country under military rule.
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 military government.
According to the military, which has ruled the country since ousting its civilian government in a February 2021 coup, 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 the military or associated individuals and groups following the coup, unlike Western countries.
Responding to the case, the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar said it will continue to urge the junta 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 coup, widespread 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.
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