Myanmar’s military regime said Sunday it has detained several people, including Japanese businessman Hiroshi Kasamatsu, for alleged violations of the law related to the sale of rice.
The military regime said Kasamatsu and local supermarket officials allegedly sold rice at prices higher than levels set by authorities.
Kasamatsu is an executive at Aeon Orange, a supermarket joint venture founded in 2016 by Japanese retailer Aeon and a Myanmar company.
Rice prices in Myanmar have soared amid economic unrest since a military coup in 2021. Myanmar’s military has tightened its control over rice prices through a crackdown on illegal practices.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a news conference on Monday that there are no health problems with the detained driver and that the government will call on Myanmar authorities to release him as soon as possible.
