Myanmar-Japan political and economic relations 2011-2021

This research examines Myanmar’s foreign policy towards Japan from 2011-2021, particularly Japan’s role in Myanmar’s peace process and the development of the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Since Myanmar’s political reforms in 2011, President Thein Sein announced Myanmar’s reintegration into the international community as the foreign policy for the USDP government. Following the successful Myanmar reforms, US-Myanmar diplomatic ties developed. This gave the opportunity for Myanmar to engage with the international stage, particularly Japan, on Myanmar’s economic and infrastructure development, and reconciliation process. This research uses the concept of hedging to explain how Myanmar opened up to Japan’s involvement in Myanmar’s development as a way to balance its dependence on China. The research applies a qualitative research methodology by analyzing government documents that relate to Japan-Myanmar relations. This research finds that Myanmar’s political reforms and the release of sanctions on Myanmar by the US created an opportunity for Japan and other international actors to get involved in Myanmar’s politics and economy. It also finds that Myanmar hedged in order to counter balance China’s dominance. Finally, this thesis argues that the case studies of Japan’s role in Myanmar’s peace process and the Thilawa SEZ prove that Myanmar successfully hedged to counter balance China’s influence and risk over dependence on China during its political reforms. Further, during Myanmar’s transformation, Japan played a significant role in Myanmar’s reconciliation, economic and infrastructure development in urban areas. However, China retained its influence on Myanmar politics and the border trade with ethnic areas in the northern part of Myanmar and continued to protect Myanmar with its veto power in the UNSC.