United States holds secret talks with Myanmar military leaders in Tokyo

The United States and Myanmar's military-backed government held secret discussions in Tokyo last week, marking the second meeting between the two parties in a single month. The talks were led by Michael Vance, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, and involved more than a dozen US officials.

A previous meeting held in mid-September in Naypyitaw focused on the release of an American businessman and the closure of scam centers targeting US citizens. While the specific details of the Tokyo meeting remain undisclosed, analysts suggest these engagements may pave the way for broader discussions regarding Myanmar’s rare-earth mineral deposits.

The Trump administration has stated it engages with all groups in Myanmar on issues affecting US interests. This shift follows a period of shunning the military leadership after the 2021 coup. Japan's Foreign Ministry noted it has been “communicating as necessary” with both sides but declined to comment on the specific diplomatic exchanges.