Japan’s “Burma Lovers” and the Military Regime

A theme that recurs often in the history of Burma is the overthrow of an unjust ruler by a minlaung, a claimant to the throne, who governs benevolently according to Buddhist precepts. Many Burmese see Aung San Suu Kyi as a minlaung not only because of her “royal” blood (being the daughter of Aung San) but because of her courage and spiritual strength. Japan’s attempts to belittle Suu Kyi reveal its ignorance of Burmese revolutionary tradition.