In May, in the Japan-Myanmar match in the second qualifying round of the Soccer World Cup Asia, Myanmar players raised three fingers to show their intention to protest the military.

In an interview with NHK, he said, "I want you to know that the players are also against the army," regarding the protests they made without regard for danger, and said that they had solidarity with the oppressed citizens.

Myanmar national team Pier Lian Aung (27) was interviewed by NHK.



Since the coup d'etat in February in Myanmar, military crackdowns on civilians have continued, killing more than 840 people so far.



Under these circumstances, Aung raised his three fingers on his right hand during the national anthem singing before the match against Japan on May 28, indicating his intention to protest against the military.



The Burmese people criticized the national team for saying, "I'm not a country, but a representative of the army," but Aung said, "I've decided to do something since I was in Yangon." He stated that he had been thinking about protesting the military before coming to Japan.



While protests could be punished by the military, Aung wrote "WENEED JUSTICE" on his finger on the bus to the venue to ensure that the message was delivered. about it.



Then, looking back at the moment when he raised his finger, he said, "I was worried because I had never experienced it. I thought that such a chance would never come again because the match against Japan was attracting a lot of attention. I want you to know that you are, "he said, to show solidarity with the citizens.



The protest was widely disseminated on SNS and caused a great response, but Aung said, "I don't think I'm a hero. The real heroes are those who lost their lives. I just expressed my intention. "



Regarding the future, he said, "I don't know what will happen when I return to Myanmar, but I will take responsibility for what I have done, but I don't want unrelated people to suffer damage." Said the fear of being punished.



At the end of the interview, Aung said, "I want Myanmar to be peaceful again. I want the Japanese people and the government to help as much as possible to realize a fair society." Was set up.

Protest demonstration Small and sporadic

In Myanmar, large-scale civilian protests have been held in various parts of the country since the military coup d'etat.



However, due to a series of casualties caused by shootings by security forces, demonstrations are often held on a small scale and sporadically so that they can be disbanded immediately.



On June 3rd, dozens of people protested in Yangon, the largest city, but the participants rushed and stopped with three fingers indicating their intention to protest the military. There was not.



On the other hand, in some areas, security forces are cracking down on the inhabitants who have weapons.



According to local media, in eastern Kayah State, at least 17 residents resisted by being attacked by military helicopters on May 31 and throwing stones in a village in the southern Ayeyarwady district on May 5. It is reported that he died in the shooting of security forces, and the serious situation continues.