Myanmar’s ruling junta has indicted a Japanese businessman who was detained late last month on suspicion of breaking the country’s laws governing the price of rice.
Officials at the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar said Kasamatsu Hiroshi was charged on Thursday with violating the “Essential Supplies and Services Law.”
The 53-year-old employee of Japanese retailer Aeon Orange, was held in Yangon on June 30. He’s accused of selling rice at prices above the officially set levels.
The Embassy has called on the junta to release him as soon as possible, but there are concerns his detention may drag on. If convicted, Kasamatsu could face between six months and three years behind bars.
Myanmar’s economy has been in a slump since the military took power in a 2021 coup. It has been stepping up measures to control food prices, but has failed to cap the rising cost of rice and other items. The junta has responded by targeting merchants for alleged sales violations.