Japan in balancing act with U.S. over sanctions on Myanmar (Kyodo News)

Broad sanctions against Myanmar should be avoided as they harm ordinary citizens, according to Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. In an interview with Kyodo News, he said, “Targeted sanctions, already in place, can continue against the generals, and broaden to others involved in the state of emergency. Signals must warn against them taking more oppressive steps. In contrast, if they show signs of relenting, then dialogue should be fostered.”