Several hundred people have rallied in Tokyo to demand that Myanmar's military end its crackdown on civilians.

Myanmar nationals and their supporters gathered in front of the country's embassy on Saturday, exactly four years after the military seized power in a coup.

They held up placards with the messages "Stop the airstrikes" and "We want democracy."

Facing the embassy building, a representative of the protesters said many people have lost their lives and urged embassy officials to stand by the people of Myanmar.

They slipped a letter inside the embassy gate.

The letter calls for an end to the violence and the immediate release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other people who have been detained by the military.

A man from Yangon said citizens are being detained almost every day and that it is impossible for people to live ordinary lives. He said he wants to ask Japan to support the people of Myanmar.

A woman said the cost of living has been rising in her home country and residents cannot find jobs.

She said people are suffering and she hopes the situation will be resolved quickly so that they can live a better life.