Mr. Sasakawa, Special Envoy of the Japanese Government for National Reconciliation in Myanmar, and officials of the Rakhine National Party (RNP) met at the Rakhine State Government Office on November 15 at 2 pm.

During the meeting, the RNP informed of the party's views on the changes being made by the Union Election Commission (UEC), said Thar Tun Hla, the Chair of the RNP.

"Changing an electoral system is also important for a change in the political system. That is why the current situation in Myanmar is so complicated that we have told him that we do not see much change in the political system if the electoral system is being changed,” said Thar Tun Hla.

However, the Japanese government's special envoy and the Nippon Foundation chairman did not mention the election issue, but said he would have to study the country as a whole.

"He did not say anything about the electoral system. From our side, the State Administration Council (SAC) will go for peace in accordance with the NCA agreement. We have informed him that the SAC has desire for a new election,” said the RNP’s chair.

Mr. Sasakawa, the special envoy of the Japanese government, arrived in Sittwe, Rakhine State, on November 15 after meeting with Chairman of the State Administration Council Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on November 13, to meet with the Rakhine National Party.

During a meeting with RNP’s officials, Mr. Sasakawa said he had come to Rakhine State to help refugees during the cessation of hostilities and wanted to inform them that there would be no more clashes.

“It is important to remain stable in Rakhine State without any fighting. He says it is important to remain stable until political issues can be resolved politically,” said Thar Tun Hla.

He said Rakhine people are currently enjoying some independence due to the lack of fighting in Rakhine State but he had been informed that there were problems such as difficulty in withdrawing money from banks in the state, employment restrictions and some restrictions on transportation like in the war time.

The Japanese Special Envoy arrived in Rakhine State on November 15 and visited refugee camps in Sittwe.

Mr. Sasakawa is scheduled to meet with ethnic political parties on November 17.