Bali: Japan, Myanmar's largest donor, has asked Yangon to immediately release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and restore democracy in that country.

This message was conveyed during a five-minute conversation Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had with his Myanmarese counterpart General Khin Nyut on the sidelines of the ongoing Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Bali on October 8.

"I urge you to erase the concern of the international community. I would like you to create an environment in which Japan can happily work with Myanmar," Japanese Prime Minister's spokesman Jiro Kkuyama was quoted as saying by English language daily 'The Jakarta Post'.

Kkuyama said Tokyo has cut all development assistance after the Myanmar Junta re-arrested Suu Kyi on May 30 and would not resume the assistance till democracy was restored in that country.

"The Prime Minister is indeed worried about Myanmar's situation," the spokesman said.

Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Wing Aung, however, said the regime had not put Suu Kyi under house arrest or detention and claimed that she was at home. "She is at home and we do not categorise that as house arrest."

PTI