Japan is “seriously concerned” that Myanmar’s planned elections without release of those detained could provoke “further strong backlash from the people” and “make a peaceful resolution more difficult”, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on Friday.

Japan once again strongly urges the Myanmar military to stop the violence immediately, release those detained including former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and restore a democratic political system, Iwaya said in a statement, opens new tab.

Iwaya's comment came a day after the Myanmar military lifted a nationwide state of emergency and nominally transferred power to a civilian-led government ahead of voting in the elections that are planned to be held in December and January.