Myanmar detention was 'hell', says freed Japanese filmmaker

FILE PHOTO: Toru Kubota, a Japanese filmmaker held by authorities in Myanmar since being arrested in July, and who has been freed on November 17th in Myanmar, arrives at Haneda Airport, in Tokyo, Japan November 18, 2022. Mandatory credit Kyodo via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese filmmaker jailed for nearly four months in Myanmar described some of his detention there as "hell" and called on Tokyo to take a tougher stance against human rights abuses in the military-controlled country.

The Southeast Asian nation has been in chaos since the military overthrew an elected government last year. The junta has arrested thousands including politicians, students, journalists and foreigners as it attempts to smother dissent.