Japan urged Myanmar on Saturday to release detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi before next year"s election, adding it was ready to provide more aid if democratisation in the country advanced, Reuters reported. The comments came a few days after a U.S. delegation made a landmark visit to Myanmar as part of a new policy of engagement by the Obama administration. Hatoyama also urged General Thein Sein to ensure all stakeholders could take part in the election. Japan has distanced itself from the policy of Western powers, which have imposed tough sanctions on Myanmar, and from that of China, which has pumped billions of dollars into the country. The talk between Hatoyama and General Thein Sein took place on the sidelines of the Tokyo summit among Japan and five Mekong region countries -- Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. It was the first time since 2003 a Myanmar leader had visited Japan. -- SPA
