Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono pledged Tokyo's continuing support in securing the safe return of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar, when he met with the Southeast Asian country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday.
"As a friend of Myanmar, Japan wants to help its government and people resolve the challenges it is facing," Kono told a press conference after their meeting in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw.
"We will do everything we can to support Myanmar's efforts to achieve peace within its borders."
Kono praised the Myanmar government's establishment of a panel to investigate crimes against the Rohingya ethnic minority and expressed hope that progress would be made toward their repatriation.
Suu Kyi thanked Japan for its support, calling the country a "true friend for the support in dealing with the refugee issue."
More than 740,000 Rohingya have fled to neighboring Bangladesh since August 2017, when Myanmar's armed forces led a brutal crackdown against insurgents in Rakhine State. Japan has provided $165.8 million in aid to tackle the issue.
Kono visited Bangladesh and Myanmar before arriving in Thailand to attend a series of meetings involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Related coverage:
ASEAN foreign ministers discuss S. China Sea, Rohingya repatriation
J-rock star Miyavi on mission to change Japan's tune on refugees
Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar resist plan to be relocated to island
