Representatives from the United States and Myanmar’s military-backed government engaged in talks in Tokyo last week, marking the second meeting in a month. This outreach comes as the U.S. seeks to re-establish dialogue with Myanmar’s military leadership, which it had distanced itself from following the 2021 coup.
Discussions held earlier in September in Naypyitaw, Myanmar’s capital, centered on the release of an American businessman and efforts to dismantle fraudulent operations that target U.S. citizens. These initial conversations may lay the groundwork for broader discussions, particularly regarding Myanmar’s rare-earth mineral resources, which have strategic importance for U.S. interests.
Details about the recent Tokyo meeting, which included over a dozen U.S. officials and was led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, Michael Vance, remain undisclosed. A U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity highlighted the sensitive nature of the dialogue. The identity of the Myanmar representatives has not been confirmed.
The U.S. State Department did not confirm Vance’s involvement in the Tokyo talks but clarified that his bureau does not lead U.S. policy toward Myanmar. According to a spokesperson, the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs is primarily responsible for shaping U.S. policy in the region, while Vance’s office mainly provides intelligence support.
The State Department underscored that the U.S. aims to achieve tangible results that benefit Americans affected by transnational crime, which includes ongoing discussions about curtailing scams, primarily run by entities tied to Myanmar’s military. The U.S. has raised concerns that many scams operate in areas controlled by military-affiliated militias, complicating enforcement efforts.
Myanmar’s military government has indicated its willingness to participate in international efforts to shut down these scam operations. Additionally, U.S. officials have explored access to Myanmar’s significant reserves of heavy rare earths, used in various technologies, amid challenges linked to territorial control by armed groups and potential resistance from China, a primary buyer of these resources.
In a related development, the U.S. lifted sanctions on the daughter of a businessman associated with Myanmar’s military, part of a new approach regarding diplomatic relations with the country. This approach aims to facilitate dialogue with various factions involved in Myanmar’s civil conflicts and reassess the U.S. strategy concerning the region.
Japan’s Involvement in the Talks
The role of Japan in these U.S.-Myanmar discussions remains unclear. Japan’s Foreign Ministry stated it has maintained necessary communications with both parties but did not comment on specifics. Recently, Japan’s acting envoy to Myanmar met with a Myanmar government official in a sign of tentative diplomatic re-engagement. In September, a Japanese lawmaker visited Naypyitaw to discuss resuming cooperative relations, despite Japan not officially recognizing Myanmar’s current government.
Japan condemned the military’s overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government but has refrained from aligning fully with the West in sanctioning Myanmar’s military leaders. Despite the complex situation, Japan continues to operate about 300 companies in Myanmar, although this number has decreased from over 400 since the coup.
