Japanese Aeon supermarket exec released from detention in Myanmar
BANGKOK — Hiroshi Kasamatsu, 53, of Aeon Co’s Myanmar joint venture, was recently released after being detained for allegedly violating rice pricing regulations imposed by the military government. Held since June 30 and indicted on July 11, Kasamatsu was convicted on Monday, receiving a one-year prison sentence and a fine.
NATIONALPOLITICSWORLD
BANGKOK
An executive of a joint venture of Japanese supermarket chain Aeon Co in Myanmar has been released after being detained for allegedly violating the rice pricing rules under the country's military government, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.
Hiroshi Kasamatsu, 53, the merchandise division chief of Aeon Orange Co, had been held for interrogation in Yangon since June 30. He was indicted on July 11.
On Monday, he was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison and fined, according to diplomatic sources, following his detention for allegedly violating the rice pricing rules of the country under military rule.
According to the military, which has ruled the country since ousting its civilian government in a February 2021 coup, Kasamatsu was detained for selling rice at prices up to 70 percent higher than the level mandated by authorities.
Kasamatsu's case marks the first conviction of an official from a Japanese-affiliated company over its corporate activities. The rare crackdown on a foreigner for violating price regulations occurred despite Japan's decision not to impose sanctions on the military or associated individuals and groups following the coup, unlike Western countries.
The junta has sought to stabilize the market by fixing the prices of essential goods, including rice.