Sasakawa seeks to broker talks between junta and Arakan Army

By Admin 10 Sep 2026

DMG Newsroom

10 September 2026, Sittwe

Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Nippon Foundation, has stated that he is attempting to arrange a meeting between the military junta and the Arakan Army amid escalating heavy combat in Arakan State.

Speaking to Bangladesh-based media outlet New Age on September 7, Sasakawa said he is working to facilitate unconditional talks between the two sides due to the intensifying conflict in Arakan State, though no agreement has been reached with either party so far.

Heavy fighting between military junta forces and the Arakan Army is currently raging along the Sittwe and Kyaukphyu fronts in Arakan State, as well as across frontline areas in Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Magway regions and Chin State.

The military regime has launched offensives under the title ‘Operation 4926’ to recapture lost territory in Arakan State, while attempting to push troops into the state from neighbouring Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Magway regions.

Concurrently, the Arakan Army aims to capture the remaining towns in Arakan State before 2027 to achieve complete control over the entire state.

With both armed forces pursuing high-stakes military objectives, military and political analysts assess that the likelihood of successful mediation by Sasakawa remains extremely low.

"Under current conditions, the Arakan Army holds the upper hand on the battlefield while the military regime is losing. The Arakan Army will only talk if the military junta makes concessions that meet its demands. The objective of the Arakan Army is clear, which is to completely eliminate the military regime's presence from Arakan State. Therefore, mediation efforts by Sasakawa are unlikely to work. Given that even Chinese mediation was not accepted, Sasakawa cannot realistically bring about talks or peace," said Captain Zin Yaw, a military defector.

Sasakawa previously brokered temporary ceasefires between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army in 2020 and 2022.

However, political observers emphasize that the current military landscape differs fundamentally from previous periods, making an agreement on dialogue difficult to reach.

"From what is known, neither the military junta nor the Arakan Army is ready for talks. The situation now is entirely different. Since 2023, the Arakan Army has maintained a clear objective to control all of Arakan State. Meanwhile, the military regime is executing ‘Operation 4926’ to retake lost areas. Under these circumstances, Sasakawa will face severe difficulties attempting to negotiate an understanding as he did in 2020 and 2022," said political analyst U Aung Marm Oo.

The Nippon Foundation chairman visited Nay Pyi Taw in August to meet with former junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, while reports indicate that he also met with representatives of the Arakan Army in Thailand.

Politicians note that the military successes and territorial expansion of the Arakan Army represent the most significant gains of the Spring Revolution, meaning any potential negotiations could affect the trajectory of the broader resistance.

"Today, the Arakan Army stands as the most successful organization in Myanmar's conflict due to its deliberate strategy. Resistance forces across the country, including those in the Spring Revolution, are watching closely and relying on their leadership at the forefront. Attempts to push peace talks right now appear aimed at undermining that momentum," said political analyst U Myo Kyaw.

The Arakan Army controls 14 townships in Arakan State alongside Paletwa Township in Chin State, with Arakanese armed group chief Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing stating a goal to capture all remaining areas in Arakan State before the end of 2027.

While working toward the complete liberation of Arakan State, the Arakan Army continues to fight alongside allied forces to fulfill the public desire to eradicate military dictatorship nationwide.