Three months on from the Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar, Japan's diplomatic efforts to persuade the Southeast Asian country's junta to reverse course have yet to bear fruit.

Myanmar security forces have killed some 750 peaceful protestors and other citizens, according to an activist monitoring group, a sign that Japan's suspension of new aid projects, alongside sanctions by the United States and other Western powers on senior generals and the companies they control, has not been effective in addressing the crisis.

Referring to his meeting April 24 with Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders in Jakarta, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said he would carefully consider suggestions from ASEAN on steps to end the turmoil, but only after the situation stabilizes — signaling the junta is unlikely to stop using force, receive an ASEAN envoy or hold dialogue with rival groups anytime soon. Myanmar is a member of the 10-member bloc.