Full Breakdown
U.S. and Myanmar’s Military-Backed Government Hold Second Tokyo Talks, Targeting Scam Hubs and Rare-Earth Access
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 16, U.S. officials met with representatives of Myanmar’s military-backed government in Tokyo for a second round of discussions within a month. The talks, led by Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Michael Vance, involved more than a dozen U.S. officials. While the exact agenda was not disclosed, sources said the meetings focused on two primary objectives: securing Myanmar’s cooperation to shut down “scam hubs” that have defrauded Americans of billions of dollars, and exploring possible access to the country’s large deposits of heavy rare-earth minerals used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Background & Context
The United States has largely avoided direct engagement with Myanmar’s junta since the February 2021 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. After a period of diplomatic isolation, Washington began re-engaging in mid-2021, first holding talks in Naypyidaw in September 2022 that centered on the release of an American businessman and the closure of fraud operations. Those discussions opened the door to broader issues, including the strategic mineral sector, prompting the follow-up meeting in Tokyo.
Data & Statistics
- Myanmar’s heavy-rare-earth deposits are concentrated in territories controlled by ethnic armed groups that are in active conflict with the military.
- China remains the principal buyer of Myanmar’s rare-earth exports, raising the prospect of Beijing opposition to any U.S. involvement.
- Approximately 300 Japanese companies continue operating in Myanmar, down from more than 400 in 2020, according to Japan’s trade promotion agency JETRO.
Official Statements & Responses
- The U.S.
- Japan’s Foreign Ministry, when asked about its role in hosting the talks, said it had been “communicating as necessary” with both sides but offered no details on the diplomatic exchanges.
Why It Matters
The United States views Myanmar’s rare-earth resources as a potential strategic asset, especially as Washington seeks to diversify supply chains for clean-energy technologies. At the same time, the proliferation of romance-scam and other fraud operations—many of which are believed to generate revenue for the military—has become a pressing concern for American law-enforcement and consumer-protection agencies. Successful cooperation from Myanmar could mitigate financial losses for U.S. citizens and reduce a source of funding for the junta.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The critical minerals and rare earths that Myanmar holds are viewed as probably the chief strategic asset that Washington is interested in within Myanmar,” — Hunter Marston, Southeast Asia director at the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank
What’s Next
The State Department’s statement indicates that Washington will continue to “re-examine” its policy tools toward Myanmar, suggesting further diplomatic outreach or additional sanctions adjustments may follow. No specific future meetings or deadlines were disclosed.
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*All statements are attributed to the officials or agencies that made them; no speculation or unverified claims are presented.*