Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is going to Myanmar on a trade mission designed to steal away China’s former friend in Southeast Asia.  It’s the first visit by a Japanese PM since 1977.  Some say he should use the three-day trip to fulfill objectives greater than mere business.

Abe will be playing the part of salesman for Japan, Inc., which has already made inroads with two major firms, NEC and Sumitomo agreeing to provide funding and support for Myanmar’s emerging telecom sector.  After decades of military rule, Myanmar lags behind its neighbors in terms of developed infrastructure, including fixed-line, mobile, Internet, and power.  And Japan has a lot to sell.

The visit will “show that both the public and private sectors of Japan will provide full-fledged support to Myanmar’s efforts toward democratization, enhancement of the rule of law, marketization and national reconciliation,” Abe said.

“Japan will be able to help in technology, banking, currency markets, human resource development, trade, investment, agriculture, factories, debt relief, increasing assistance and infrastructure,” an unnamed Myanmar official told foreign reporters.

Abe hopes Japan will fill the void left by China, which was a supporter of the former dictatorship.  In fact, China is now widely resented in Myanmar because of that support.

But Human Rights Watch says Shinzo Abe should use his economic and technological influence to push Myanmar further towards Democracy, especially by insisting Yangon free all political prisoners and ditching abusive laws.

“As Burma’s biggest aid donor and a major investor, Japan can play a critical role by pressing harder for human rights reforms and protections,” said Brad Adams, HRW’s Asia director. “Aid and investment in Burma should not ignore needed reforms in the rule of law, transparency, and accountability.”