Japan refuses to issue visas for military-backed Myanmar diplomats

Japan has effectively refused to issue visas for two Myanmar military-appointed diplomats the junta seeks to send to Tokyo in place of two it fired in March, according to Japanese government sources.Japan allowing the two replacements to be posted to the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo would be tantamount to recognizing the Feb. 1 military coup that ousted the country's elected government under civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.Myanmar's military has requested that Japan issue diplomatic visas for the two replacements. Japan has said it "is considering" the request but has yet to start issuance pro…READ FULL ARTICLE