tokyo tokyo-based non-governmental organization human right wednesday call japanese government take strong stance arrest two reuters journalists detain myanmar last week japanese foreign minister taro kono tuesday say freedom press vital japan closely monitor situation call journalists release human right secretary-general kazuko ito tell reuters japan send strong message arrest ito say join international call journalists release japan might send message ok myanmar government violate human right therefore would like government japan exercise care comment clearly express astance stand together victims humanrights violations tell reuters ask ito remark japan top government spokesman say tokyo already convey concern myanmar refrain detail government already directly convey concern regard incident government myanmar chief cabinet secretary yoshihide suga tell news conference japan typically shy away outspoken public comment human right issue overseas prefer focus quiet diplomacy japan one myanmar big foreign aid donors vie influence china myanmar large trade partner japan say last year would provide aid worth 800 billion yen billion myanmar five years human right well-known group japan membership 700 individuals organizations include lawyers presence tokyo osaka japan well new york geneva myanmar website say unite nations special consultative status since 2012. reuters journalists arrest invite dine police officer even dec. 12 outskirts myanmar large city yangon work reuters coverage crisis see estimate 655,000 rohingya muslims flee fierce military crackdown western state rakhine follow attack militants spokesman myanmar leader aung san suu kyi say wednesday inform police almost complete investigation journalists court case would begin authorities investigate whether journalists violate country colonial-era official secrets act carry maximum prison sentence 14 years number governments include unite state canada britain unite nations secretary-general antonio guterres criticize arrest attack press freedom call myanmar release two men detention journalists report critical matter public interest egregious attack freedom press myanmar severely undermine ability journalists conduct legitimate work without fear reprisal human right say statement call journalists immediate release end proceed right group call japan take strong stance arrest journalists myanmar