Japan to press charges over journalist's death

Posted Wed Oct 3, 2007 8:00pm AEST

Japan's police will seek to press murder charges against Burmese troops who shot dead a Japanese journalist during pro-democracy protests last month, a newspaper reported.

Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department will seek the prosecution of the soldiers who killed Kenji Nagai, 50, a journalist for the Tokyo-based video news service APF News, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.

Under Japanese law police can seek the prosecution of suspects when a Japanese national is the victim of a felony crime overseas, although whether the suspects are extradited depends on whether there is a treaty in place.

Mr Nagai was killed in Rangoon on September 27 while covering a military crackdown on mass anti-government protests.

In television footage later aired by Japanese broadcasters, Mr Nagai, dressed casually in shorts and sandals, appeared to be shot at close range by Burmese troops.

Mr Nagai, who is believed to have died instantly after a bullet fatally penetrated his body, was seen lying on the ground still clutching his video camera.

Burmese leaders told Japan's Deputy Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka during a visit to the capital Naypyidaw that the fatal shooting was an accident.

Japanese police plan to conduct an autopsy on Mr Nagai's body, which is expected to return to Japan on Thursday via Bangkok, the Yomiuri newspaper said.

Aid withdrawal

Meanwhile, Japan is considering suspending some 500 million yen ($4.85 million) in humanitarian aid for Burma a senior Japanese government official said.

Japan has withheld new full-scale aid to impoverished Burma since democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi was detained in 2003, but it has funded emergency health projects and provided some training and technological transfers.

A senior Japanese government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tokyo was considering suspending its plan to extend 552 million yen in "human resources development aid" to Burma.

In late July, Tokyo decided to extend the aid aimed to help nurture democracy and a market economy in Burma.

But Japan will maintain its policy of engagement with Burma, he said, and Tokyo has no plans at the moment to suspend trade with Burma or freeze the country's assets.

- Reuters/AFP