Documenting life under Myanmar’s juntaーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Military Coup in Myanmar (2021): The overthrow of the democratically elected government, leading to widespread protests and repression.
• Rohingya Persecution: The ongoing systematic discrimination and violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar.
• Incitement Charges: The legal justification used by the Myanmar regime to imprison journalists and activists.
• Dokyu Atam Project: Kubota’s initiative to support Myanmar journalists by providing equipment and training.
• Media Suppression: The systematic restriction of freedom of expression and independent journalism by the military regime.

The Imprisonment and Subsequent Work of Kubo Tatou

Japanese documentary filmmaker Kubo Tatou was detained and imprisoned in Myanmar in 2022 while reporting on civilian protests against the military regime that seized power in a coup in 2021. Following his release after 3.5 months – facilitated by pressure from the Japanese government and the international community – Kubota was barred from re-entering Myanmar. Despite this, he continues to support the dissemination of information about the situation in Myanmar.

Reporting on the Post-Coup Reality

In December 2022, Kubota documented protests in Tokyo organized by Myanmar immigrants, specifically addressing their condemnation of the military regime’s “sham” general election, which excluded pro-democracy candidates. He released this footage as a short documentary. Kubota emphasizes the ongoing instability, stating, “Just because 5 years have passed since the coup, I cannot agree that peace has returned, elections have been held, and that Myanmar has become a democracy. Every day we see news about the military conducting air strikes. That's why I think it's so important to speak out like this.”

Early Engagement with Myanmar and the Shift After the Coup

Kubota’s involvement with Myanmar began in 2015, during his second year of university, when he became interested in the plight of the Rohingya. He frequently returned to Myanmar, producing several documentaries focusing on marginalized communities. The 2021 coup dramatically altered the landscape, eliminating “freedom of expression and a fairly free media” and extinguishing the hopes of a generation. He describes the pre-coup environment as one where “Young people had hopes of starting their own businesses and creating their own futures,” a stark contrast to the current reality where “People there no longer have any freedom, and their lives are no longer safe.”

Arrest and Imprisonment

Approximately 1.5 years after the coup, Kubota returned to Myanmar to document the hardships faced by the population. While filming a protest, he was apprehended during a crackdown by the Huta (likely referring to the military or security forces). He expresses regret for his decision to film the demonstration, prioritizing the safety of those he was with. He was arrested and forced to pose with a banner used by the protestors, subsequently being found guilty of incitement and other charges, initially sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Dokyu Atam Project: Supporting Myanmar Journalists

Unable to return to Myanmar, Kubota conceived the Dokyu Atam project. Recognizing the need to continue reporting on the situation, he focused his efforts on supporting Myanmar journalists who had fled to Mae Sot, Thailand, a border town that has become a hub for exiled media professionals.

Enmo, a journalist who fled Myanmar after filming and sharing footage of crackdowns with foreign media, exemplifies the challenges faced by these reporters. He was forced to abandon his equipment upon fleeing. Kubota established a base in Mae Sot two years ago to provide assistance, primarily through a camera lending program. He has facilitated over 400 camera loans to date, supplementing this with video skills training. The project relies on donations of equipment from Japan.

Continuing Commitment and Call to Action

Despite his personal setbacks, Kubota remains dedicated to raising awareness about Myanmar. He acknowledges his initial frustration but now feels a stronger sense of purpose, stating, “I felt frustrated that I was unable to do what I had originally set out to do. But now I’m starting to understand a bit about the people involved. I realize there must be something more I can do. And I think there are many things we can do using video. We need to make sure that what is happening in Myanmar does not get forgotten.”

Videos produced by the journalists supported by Kubota through the Dokyu Atam project are available on the project’s website, with English subtitles, and the site also accepts donations.