Kirin said the military's actions were "against our standards and Human Rights Policy."
The Japanese multinational owns 51 percent of two
"We decided to invest in
Given the "current circumstances," Kirin has decided to terminate its "current joint-venture partnership" with MEHL, "which provides the service of welfare fund management for the military," the global beverage producer said.
Kirin added that it will "be taking steps as a matter of urgency to put this termination into effect," although it did not specify when the process will be completed.
It is the first Japanese company to announce such a measure since Monday's coup, which has also affected the operations of other Japanese companies such as automakers
Kirin's investments in collaboration with the military-related entity had been the subject of complaints from NGOs such as
A
"At a minimum, these foreign companies are contributing to supporting the Tatmadaw's financial capacity," The UN said.
Kirin commissioned an independent audit last year to determine who the main beneficiaries of MEHL were, the results of which were inconclusive due to insufficient information given.
HRW on Friday welcomed the "long-awaited" decision of the Japanese company to terminate its alliances in
"Other foreign companies with ties to the
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