A Japanese journalist freed from prison in Myanmar earlier this month spoke to reporters in Tokyo on Monday. Kubota Toru called for more awareness about the human rights situation in the country and urged the ruling military to improve it.

Kubota was held by security authorities in Yangon in July for filming protests against the junta while on a tourist visa. He had been facing a total of 10 years' imprisonment on charges including violating the immigration law.

Two people from Myanmar have left for Japan to work in the country under a new visa category.

Thet Ko Htoo, aged 25, and Htet Shein Win, aged 21, left an airport in the city of Yangon on Wednesday. They will work at a resort hotel in Nago City in the southern prefecture of Okinawa.