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US Holds Secret Talks With Myanmar Military Rulers in Tokyo
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CNBC TV18•16-10-2026, 12:11
US Holds Secret Talks With Myanmar Military Rulers in Tokyo
- •The United States and Myanmar's military-backed government held confidential talks in Tokyo, marking their second meeting in a month as Washington re-engages with the generals following the 2021 coup.
- •US Assistant Secretary of State Michael Vance led the delegation in Tokyo, which follows a previous mid-September meeting in Naypyitaw with coup leader Min Aung Hlaing.
- •Key US priorities in the discussions include securing the release of an American businessman, cracking down on scam centers targeting US citizens, and gaining access to rare earth mineral deposits.
- •The renewed dialogue highlights a transactional approach by Washington, though significant obstacles remain due to civil conflict, territory control by ethnic armed groups, and China's influence.
- •Japan acted as host for the talks, reflecting its own separate efforts to cautiously re-engage with Myanmar and normalize bilateral relations and development aid.
Key Questions Answered
The discussions focused on securing the release of an American businessman, shutting down scam centers targeting Americans, and potentially exploring access to Myanmar's heavy rare earth mineral deposits.
The talks in Tokyo and earlier meetings in Naypyitaw were led by US Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Michael Vance.
Japan has hosted diplomatic talks in Tokyo and shown signs of re-engagement, with its acting envoy meeting Myanmar's foreign minister and a ruling party lawmaker visiting Naypyitaw to restart bilateral cooperation.
