Myanmar junta fires protesting diplomats in Tokyo: Eeport

Two officials atMyanmar's embassy inTokyohave become the latestdiplomatsdismissed by thejuntaafterprotestingthe military coup in their country, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported Thursday.

Administrator Aung Soe Moe and a junior colleague were fired after they went on strike, the agency said.

Citing a leaked document, Kyodo said some 100Myanmardiplomatsaround the world have been dismissed after opposing the coup.

Myanmar's military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February, triggering a massive uprising that authorities have sought to quell with lethal force.

Kyodo said the twodiplomatsleft the embassy compound on March 11, days after posting on Facebook in support of peaceful anti-juntaprotests.

They did not resign but have had their diplomatic status and passports revoked, and are living inTokyowith the help of otherMyanmarnationals, Kyodo said.

TheMyanmarembassy has informed Japan's foreign ministry that diplomatic visas for the pair will no longer be valid, Japanese government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told reporters Thursday.

"The foreign ministry is studying what kind of response is appropriate, giving consideration toMyanmar's current situation," Kato added.

Japan has criticised the coup inMyanmarand called for the restoration of democracy, but it has faced pressure to stake out a stronger position on the crisis.

TheMyanmarembassy was not reachable for comment on Thursday.

In April, pro-juntadiplomatsseized the country's embassy in London, leaving the ambassador locked out after he called for the release of Suu Kyi.

OtherMyanmardiplomatsincluding at the United Nations and in Berlin have also faced similar threats or oustings over their protests.

Japan has strong economic ties withMyanmarand long-standing relations with its military.

Last week, a Japanese journalist arrested while covering the aftermath of theMyanmarcoup was released in a diplomatic gesture and returned to Japan.

Japan, a top aid donor toMyanmar, announced in March it was suspending new assistance in response to the coup, but stopped short of the sanctions imposed by some nations on military and police commanders.