A recently freed Japanese filmmaker, Toru Kubota, after spending four months in a Myanmar jail described his experience as “hell”. During a press conference, on Monday, he also said that he hoped that the Japanese government would take a “much stronger stance” towards the military government in Myanmar.&nbsp;

The 26-year-old was detained in the city of Yangon, earlier this year, during a protest against the junta, who&nbsp;have&nbsp;been in power following a coup and overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. While the Japanese filmmaker was sentenced to 10 years in prison for violating the sedition and communication laws, he was released following a mass amnesty.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/unsc-condemns-myanmars-execution-of-four-detainees-and-demands-an-end-to-all-forms-of-violence-501308">UNSC condemns Myanmar’s execution of four detainees, demands end to all forms of violence</a>

Addressing the reporters in Tokyo, he said “I understood the concept of hell” referring to his time in detention. Kubota said that he could barely sleep in a tiny overcrowded cell and called the overall conditions filthy and unsanitary. He also witnessed many prisoners being beaten with a baton. He was later transferred to a colonial-era Insein jail and was held in solitary confinement.&nbsp;

“I would hope the Japanese government would take a much stronger stance towards the Myanmar military,” said Kubota. He added that Japan has an impactful economic relationship with Myanmar and called for greater scrutiny of where that money is going and if it is being used to harm the country’s people.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-military-to-free-6000-prisoners-including-600-women-534968">Myanmar military to free 6,000 prisoners including 600 women</a>

Notably, while Japan has stopped aid to Myanmar, it has not imposed any sanctions against them unlike countries like the United States, European Union and others. Since their takeover last year, the junta have arrested thousands of people including students, journalists, politicians, and so on, in a bid to quash dissent against their military government.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A recently freed Japanese filmmaker, Toru Kubota, after spending four months in a Myanmar jail described his experience as “hell”. During a press conference, on Monday, he also said that he hoped that the Japanese government would take a “much stronger stance” towards the military government in Myanmar.

A recently freed Japanese filmmaker, Toru Kubota, after spending four months in a Myanmar jail described his experience as “hell”. During a press conference, on Monday, he also said that he hoped that the Japanese government would take a “much stronger stance” towards the military government in Myanmar. The 26-year-old was detained in the city of Yangon, earlier this year, during a protest against the junta, who have been in power following a coup and overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. While the Japanese filmmaker was sentenced to 10 years in prison for violating the sedition and communication laws, he was released following a mass amnesty. ALSO READ | UNSC condemns Myanmar’s execution of four detainees, demands end to all forms of violence Addressing the reporters in Tokyo, he said “I understood the concept of hell” referring to his time in detention. Kubota said that he could barely sleep in a tiny overcrowded cell and called the overall conditions filthy and unsanitary. He also witnessed many prisoners being beaten with a baton. He was later transferred to a colonial-era Insein jail and was held in solitary confinement. “I would hope the Japanese government would take a much stronger stance towards the Myanmar military,” said Kubota. He added that Japan has an impactful economic relationship with Myanmar and called for greater scrutiny of where that money is going and if it is being used to harm the country’s people. ALSO WATCH | Myanmar military to free 6,000 prisoners including 600 women Notably, while Japan has stopped aid to Myanmar, it has not imposed any sanctions against them unlike countries like the United States, European Union and others. Since their takeover last year, the junta have arrested thousands of people including students, journalists, politicians, and so on, in a bid to quash dissent against their military government. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japanese filmmaker describes Myanmar detention as ‘hell’; asks Tokyo for ‘stronger stance’ toward junta

Protesters have destroyed around a dozen military-owned communications towers in&nbsp;Myanmar, witnesses and reports said Wednesday, after the country's self-proclaimed shadow government issued a call for a "defensive war" against the junta.

The country has been in chaos since the military seized power in February, sparking mass pro-democracy rallies followed by a deadly crackdown and renewed fighting with ethnic rebel militias in border areas.

More than 1,000 civilians have been killed and nearly 8,000 arrested, according to local observers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-soldiers-aiming-to-silence-protests-target-journalists-375047">Myanmar soldiers, aiming to silence protests, target journalists</a>

Protesters said they targeted 11 mobile phone masts belonging to the military-owned Mytel, one of the country's four main cell networks, in the town of Budalin in the central Sagaing region.

"Our intention is to destroy the military business. Their businesses support (them) to maintain their power. Therefore, we have to destroy it," a resident involved in the operation told AFP.

Video footage from local media shows an explosion at the base of one tower followed by the structure falling down, to applause from onlookers.

Two more masts were destroyed elsewhere in the Sagaing region, local sources told AFP.

<h2>'Defensive war'&nbsp;</h2>

While attacks on military-owned infrastructure and businesses have been seen before, Tuesday's spate of blasts comes after a call to arms from the so-called National Unity Government (NUG).

The NUG, which claims to be the country's legitimate government, is made up of dissident lawmakers in hiding or exile, many of them from ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party.

NUG acting president Duwa Lashi La on Tuesday urged citizens to target military assets in their areas.

"We launch a people's defensive war against the junta," he said in a recorded video.

"All citizens within...&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;revolt against the military terrorists led by Min Aung Hlaing."

As early as May the NUG announced the formation of "people's defence forces" to take on the junta's heavily-armed, battle-hardened troops, but they have yet to have a major impact.

The military authorities -- officially known as the State Administration Council (SAC) -- dismiss the NUG and its affiliates as "terrorists" seeking to bring the country to ruin.

Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun accused the NUG of attention-seeking ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week which will consider whether the junta or shadow government should represent&nbsp;Myanmar.

"The terrorist groups realise that they are nearly failing. That's why the attempt to keep up their efforts in order to grab international attention," Zaw Min Tun said in a statement.

The junta has defended its power grab by alleging massive fraud during elections in late 2020 which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won by a landslide.

Military chief Min Aung Hlaing -- named by the SAC as prime minister of a "caretaker government" -- last month pledged to hold fresh elections by August 2023.

Protesters have destroyed around a dozen military-owned communications towers in Myanmar, witnesses and reports said Wednesday, after the country's self-proclaimed shadow government issued a call for a "defensive war" against the junta.

Protesters have destroyed around a dozen military-owned communications towers in Myanmar, witnesses and reports said Wednesday, after the country's self-proclaimed shadow government issued a call for a "defensive war" against the junta. The country has been in chaos since the military seized power in February, sparking mass pro-democracy rallies followed by a deadly crackdown and renewed fighting with ethnic rebel militias in border areas. More than 1,000 civilians have been killed and nearly 8,000 arrested, according to local observers. Also read | Myanmar soldiers, aiming to silence protests, target journalists Protesters said they targeted 11 mobile phone masts belonging to the military-owned Mytel, one of the country's four main cell networks, in the town of Budalin in the central Sagaing region. "Our intention is to destroy the military business. Their businesses support (them) to maintain their power. Therefore, we have to destroy it," a resident involved in the operation told AFP. Video footage from local media shows an explosion at the base of one tower followed by the structure falling down, to applause from onlookers. Two more masts were destroyed elsewhere in the Sagaing region, local sources told AFP. 'Defensive war' While attacks on military-owned infrastructure and businesses have been seen before, Tuesday's spate of blasts comes after a call to arms from the so-called National Unity Government (NUG). The NUG, which claims to be the country's legitimate government, is made up of dissident lawmakers in hiding or exile, many of them from ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party. NUG acting president Duwa Lashi La on Tuesday urged citizens to target military assets in their areas. "We launch a people's defensive war against the junta," he said in a recorded video. "All citizens within... Myanmar revolt against the military terrorists led by Min Aung Hlaing." As early as May the NUG announced the formation of "people's defence forces" to take on the junta's heavily-armed, battle-hardened troops, but they have yet to have a major impact. The military authorities -- officially known as the State Administration Council (SAC) -- dismiss the NUG and its affiliates as "terrorists" seeking to bring the country to ruin. Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun accused the NUG of attention-seeking ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week which will consider whether the junta or shadow government should represent Myanmar. "The terrorist groups realise that they are nearly failing. That's why the attempt to keep up their efforts in order to grab international attention," Zaw Min Tun said in a statement. The junta has defended its power grab by alleging massive fraud during elections in late 2020 which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won by a landslide. Military chief Min Aung Hlaing -- named by the SAC as prime minister of a "caretaker government" -- last month pledged to hold fresh elections by August 2023.

Myanmar cell towers attacked after shadow government 'war' call

Twenty-five anti-junta fighters and civilians were killed during clashes with the military in central&nbsp;Myanmar, villagers said Sunday, as locals increasingly take up arms against the regime in the coup-wracked country.

Myanmar&nbsp;has been in turmoil since a February coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government, with 890 people killed in a junta crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.

In some areas civilians have formed "defence forces" to combat the State Administration Council, as the junta dubs itself, often using hunting rifles or makeshift weapons cobbled together from household items.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-protesters-burn-junta-leaders-images-on-his-birthday-395520">Myanmar protesters burn junta leader's images on his birthday</a>

The central Sagaing region has been the site of multiple skirmishes between defence forces and the military, and on Friday fighting broke out in Depayin township.

Residents told AFP that military trucks entered their area and opened fire on a village near the jungle hoping to flush out members of the local defence force.

"We heard the shooting of artillery 26 times," said a villager, who added that anti-junta fighters tried to retaliate but could not fend off the attack.

"They shot everyone who they saw on the road and in the village. They did not just have one target," he said.&nbsp;

Civilians were among the dead, he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-coup-us-imposes-fresh-sanctions-on-22-persons-395448">Myanmar coup: US imposes fresh sanctions on 22 persons</a>

Villagers waited until Saturday to venture out of their homes to assess the casualties, said a member of the local defence force who helped to organise the collection of bodies.&nbsp;

"We firstly got nine dead bodies and buried them," he told AFP, adding that eight more were found by a different team and also buried the same day.

On Sunday, they found eight more bodies.&nbsp;

"I noticed from their bodies that most of them were shot in the head," he said -- an observation that another man who helped move the dead confirmed to AFP.&nbsp;

The anti-junta fighter said the security presence around Depayin was increasing, displacing thousands of residents who had fled in fear of further military action.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/freed-us-editor-tells-horror-stories-of-torture-in-myanmar-394317">Freed US editor tells horror stories of torture in Myanmar</a>

"The army has been hunting us in the jungle since this morning," he said.

BBC News Burmese, the BBC's&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;language service, reported a similar death toll.

'Stabilising the area'

State-run media offered a different account of the skirmish, saying the military was patrolling the area when they were ambushed.

Soldiers fended off "armed terrorists" and later found "four mortars and six percussion lock firearms", reported the Global New Light of&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;newspaper, which did not give a death toll in the village.

In another attack in a different part of Sagaing one member of the security forces was killed and authorities were "working to stabilise the area", the paper added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/confident-in-its-impunity-the-myanmar-junta-ignores-diplomacy-393894">Confident in its impunity, the Myanmar junta ignores diplomacy</a>

Despite the threat of crackdowns, protesters in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;are still taking to the streets daily in defiance of the military regime.

On Sunday residents across Sagaing held short demonstrations, flashing a three-finger salute of defiance during rapid marches through the streets.

Twenty-five anti-junta fighters and civilians were killed during clashes with the military in central Myanmar, villagers said Sunday, as locals increasingly take up arms against the regime in the coup-wracked country.

Twenty-five anti-junta fighters and civilians were killed during clashes with the military in central Myanmar, villagers said Sunday, as locals increasingly take up arms against the regime in the coup-wracked country. Myanmar has been in turmoil since a February coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government, with 890 people killed in a junta crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group. In some areas civilians have formed "defence forces" to combat the State Administration Council, as the junta dubs itself, often using hunting rifles or makeshift weapons cobbled together from household items. Also read | Myanmar protesters burn junta leader's images on his birthday The central Sagaing region has been the site of multiple skirmishes between defence forces and the military, and on Friday fighting broke out in Depayin township. Residents told AFP that military trucks entered their area and opened fire on a village near the jungle hoping to flush out members of the local defence force. "We heard the shooting of artillery 26 times," said a villager, who added that anti-junta fighters tried to retaliate but could not fend off the attack. "They shot everyone who they saw on the road and in the village. They did not just have one target," he said. Civilians were among the dead, he added. Also read | Myanmar coup: US imposes fresh sanctions on 22 persons Villagers waited until Saturday to venture out of their homes to assess the casualties, said a member of the local defence force who helped to organise the collection of bodies. "We firstly got nine dead bodies and buried them," he told AFP, adding that eight more were found by a different team and also buried the same day. On Sunday, they found eight more bodies. "I noticed from their bodies that most of them were shot in the head," he said -- an observation that another man who helped move the dead confirmed to AFP. The anti-junta fighter said the security presence around Depayin was increasing, displacing thousands of residents who had fled in fear of further military action. Also read | Freed US editor tells horror stories of torture in Myanmar "The army has been hunting us in the jungle since this morning," he said. BBC News Burmese, the BBC's Myanmar language service, reported a similar death toll. 'Stabilising the area' State-run media offered a different account of the skirmish, saying the military was patrolling the area when they were ambushed. Soldiers fended off "armed terrorists" and later found "four mortars and six percussion lock firearms", reported the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper, which did not give a death toll in the village. In another attack in a different part of Sagaing one member of the security forces was killed and authorities were "working to stabilise the area", the paper added. Also read | Confident in its impunity, the Myanmar junta ignores diplomacy Despite the threat of crackdowns, protesters in Myanmar are still taking to the streets daily in defiance of the military regime. On Sunday residents across Sagaing held short demonstrations, flashing a three-finger salute of defiance during rapid marches through the streets.

25 killed in Myanmar clashes between army and anti-junta fighters

junta-army

Junta Army, News on Junta Army, stories on Junta Army, articles on Junta Army, Junta Army stories at Wion, Junta Army news, Junta Army latest news

junta army

Japanese filmmaker describes Myanmar detention as ‘hell’; asks Tokyo for ‘stronger stance’ toward junta

Myanmar cell towers attacked after shadow government 'war' call

25 killed in Myanmar clashes between army and anti-junta fighters