Prison Escape & Pains: Tokyo’s Filmmaker’s Rough Myanmar Detention
After being locked up in two of Myanmar’s toughest jails, a Japanese director shared the real horror of his stay and demanded Japan step up against the country’s brutal regime.
“Hell” After Haunting Detention
After his July protest was broken up, filmmaker Toru Kubota was hauled away to a police hold‑up. “I know what hell feels like,” he told reporters in Tokyo, painting a grim picture of cramped, filthy cells where he could barely lie down and watched others being beat by batons.
From there he found himself in the infamous Insein jail – a colonial‑era nightmare that locked him in solitary confinement for months.
Mass Amnesty and the Story of Other Victims
Untied in a recent amnesty, Kubota was freed along with:
- A former British ambassador (Sir Vicky Bowman) who had been jailed over immigration issues, now leading a campaign for ethical business in Myanmar.
- Sean Turnell, an Aussie economic adviser to ex‑leader Aung San Suu Kyi; he described his time in a bucket‑tanked prison in a podcast with The Australian.
Japan’s Crucial Role
While Tokyo has reduced aid and called for an end to abuse, its measures are gentler than those of the US and EU. Kubota’s plea is clear: “Japan should firmly confront the Myanmar military and scrutinise any funds that flow to their regime.”
If Japan wants to do more, the filmmaker urges:
- Increase pressure on the junta.
- Review financial ties meticulously.
- Show a united front against human‑rights violations.
Final Thought
It’s not just a story of imprisonment – it’s a wake‑up call for Japan to act decisively and not let its support slip through the cracks. Time’s running out for Myanmar’s people, and the world, especially Tokyo, must step up.
