Political dialogue has commenced between Myanmar's military government and the political party led by Aung San Suu Kyi, a senior junta leader signaled Sunday in talks with Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.
Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, first secretary of the ruling junta, told Kawaguchi that various ministries of his government are holding talks with the opposition National League for Democracy's Central Executive Committee, Japanese Foreign Ministry officials said.
The 90-minute meeting at the Defense Ministry came on the second day of Kawaguchi's three-day visit to Myanmar. It is the first such trip by a Japanese foreign minister in nearly two decades.
Kawaguchi reportedly told Khin Nyunt -- the No. 3 man in the ruling junta -- that Japan will expand its official development assistance to Myanmar on the condition that democratization proceeds. She said Japan will provide help with vaccines, water supplies and the building of schools.