Japanese company cuts ties with Myanmar over coup

Kirin Holdings Company Limited, a Japan-based beer manufacturer, has severed ties with Myanmar government-run Economic Holdings Public Company Limited following the evolving situation of military takeover.

“We have no option but to terminate our current joint-venture partnership with Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Company Limited, which provides the service of welfare fund management for the military. We will be taking steps as a matter of urgency to put this termination into effect,” Yoshinori Isozaki, president and CEO of the company, said it in a statement on February 5.

“We are deeply concerned by the recent actions of the military in Myanmar, which are against our standards and Human Rights Policy,” Isozaki said.

“We decided to invest in Myanmar in 2015, believing that, through our business, we could contribute positively to the people and the economy of the country as it entered an important period of democratisation,” he said.

“Our aspiration was and remains to create a positive impact on Myanmar’s economy and society through our operations at Myanmar Brewery Limited and Mandalay Brewery Limited,” Isozaki added.

Meanwhile, several human rights organisations welcomed the Kirin decision.

Justice for Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung said, “Kirin has taken a right decision in severing ties with Myanmar and we express our gratitude to Kirin as it has heard the voice of the people of Myanmar at last.”

“We believe Myanmar will get a strong message through the decision. We expect that Kirin would do the same for its other ventures in Myanmar and would encourage other organisations to take the similar decision.”