YANGON-The Japan Embassy in Myanmar announced that they would provide assistance for resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Kachin State.

The officials from the Japanese embassy met with the locals in Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, on December 21st and discussed Japanese government aid.

Although there have been ongoing conflicts in north-east Rakhine State, the situation is becoming stable in northern Kachin State. The incumbent government, the army[Tatmadaw] as well as the Kachin Independence Army and civic and social organizations (CSOs) are now discussing the return of IDPs and ceasefire affairs. So, the CSOs requested the Japanese Government through Sasakawa Yohei, Special Envoy of the Japanese Government for National Reconciliation in Myanmar for assistance to promote the resettlement of IDPs in some regions of Kachin State where the security has been assured, according to the announcement from the embassy.

The statement also said that the Japanese government hoped the assistance would contribute to improving the humanitarian situation in Kachin State and reaching the ceasefire agreement as soon as possible and also that the Myanmar government and army, as well as ethnic armed groups, would continue to hold the peace talks in the future.