They have yet to clarify how they will manage the project’s assets or how they will ensure that the Myanmar junta government does not benefit financially from it.
Three leading Japanese companies—Kamigumi, Sumitomo Corporation and Toyota Tosho—have confirmed their decision to withdraw from the Thilawa Multipurpose International Terminal project in Yangon, Myanmar.
The three companies have made the decision in the face of growing pressure from civil society groups in Myanmar and Japan over their involvement in the project with the military-owned Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL).
MEHL is currently under international sanctions.
The three companies said they have already started the process of withdrawing from the project and have pledged to take necessary measures for the safety and rehabilitation of workers.
However, they have not yet clarified how they will uphold international human rights standards, how they will manage the project’s assets or how they will ensure that the Myanmar junta government does not benefit financially from it.
Meanwhile, criticism has also been raised about the role of Japanese government agencies ‘Join’ and ‘Nexi’ involved in the project. Civil society groups have alleged that Join has shown no transparency in the use of Japanese public funds in the project, and that Nexi has avoided human rights issues despite providing limited explanations about environmental impacts.
Yuka Kiguchi of Japanese NGO ‘Mekong Watch’ said that Join’s silence and Nexi’s narrow view of business risks are far from the ideals of responsible business conduct.
Yadanar Maung, a spokesperson for the organization ‘Justice for Myanmar’, said that the military has increased airstrikes after the March 28 earthquake. In such a situation, any opaque or irresponsible project concession could incite military crimes. Japanese companies and the government must clearly state how they are distancing themselves from being complicit in the crimes of the junta government.
Civil society groups have demanded that these companies and government institutions withdraw from the project in a transparent and human rights-respecting manner and ensure that the Myanmar military does not benefit financially from it.
