Human Rights Watch says the military junta in Myanmar is waging a war against its own people.
It is calling on world governments, including Japan, to step up their response.

The group released a statement on December 10, marking international Human Rights Day. It highlighted the situation in Myanmar, describing the country as having become the "worst of the worse" among ASEAN nations for human rights abuses.

It added that military crackdowns have led to attacks on civilians, and about one hundred political prisoners have been sentenced to death. It warns the situation could get worse.

The group's Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson says the international community needs to step up.

"We have called for, time and time again, an international arms embargo to be imposed by the UN Security Council to stop the violence," says Robertson. "We've demanded that there be targeted sanctions."

Robertson also called on Japan, which he referred to as one of Asia's oldest democracies, to do more.

"It's a country where democracy and human rights are valued, and therefore Japan should be a leader in demanding change in Myanmar," says Robertson.

Japan has a long-standing relationship with Myanmar, including a military officer training program.
But the Japanese government announced it would suspend that program from next year over Myanmar's execution of pro-democracy activists.