Japanese lawmaker meets Myanmar junta as Tokyo calls for filmmaker's release

In this file photo taken on July 31, 2022 an activist holds a placard of Japanese citizen Toru Kubota, who is detained in Myanmar, during a rally in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo. - AFP

NAYPYIDAW (Reuters): A Japanese ruling party lawmaker has met with Myanmar's junta leader, according to Myanmar state media, days after a Japanese documentary filmmaker was arrested while covering a protest.

Hiromichi Watanabe, a member of Japan's more powerful lower house of representatives for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was in Myanmar from Aug 7 to Aug 12, his office confirmed on Friday(Aug 12). It did not comment on the purpose of the trip.