"ミャンマー国軍に資金が流れる…ODAは適切か？　日本政府、橋建設で国軍系企業に支払いへ　金額は「秘密」, " 23 May 2024

[Unofficial description by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

It has come to light that Yokogawa Bridge, which received the contract for the Bago River Bridge Construction Project under Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA), has made a large payment to the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), a company related to the Myanmar military, and that it still has outstanding subcontract payments. Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, said that if the contract is terminated, a large penalty may be demanded, but she did not give details such as the amount of the penalty.

MEC has been subject to sanctions by western countries since the coup.

The Tokyo Shimbun inquired about the amount paid to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the amount remaining. "We cannot disclose this as it is a confidential contract between the companies," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Yokogawa Bridge also responded "We will refrain from answering as this is an individual case."